Unions and Wood Group have been urged to get back round the negotiating table as the first day of strike action was held across seven North Sea assets.
The Offshore Contractors Association (OCA) has called for an end to the dispute between the two sides over pay and conditions.
It comes as the first industrial action in more than a generation was held by employees offshore.
Both Unite and RMT members had voted to support strike action earlier this month with around 400 workers taking part yesterday.
Staff downed tools on the Shearwater, Gannet, Nelson, Curlew, Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie assets.
A continuous overtime ban which began this week has also been implemented until further notice.
Last night, the chief executive of the OCA Paul Atkinson, said it would provide assistance needed to bring the dispute to an end while industry body Oil & Gas UK urged all sides of the industry to “pull together”.
He said: “We are really disappointed that the unions and Wood Group have not reached an agreement.
“Although the outcome of the Unite ballot was in favour of industrial action, we had hoped that strike action could be avoided.
“This is a very challenging business environment and our members have to make difficult decisions.
“The deal being offered by Wood Group remains within the rates and allowances in the Offshore Contractors Partnership
Agreement which was agreed to by both GMB and Unite members last year.
“The industry as a whole must retain its focus on securing a long-term future for the UKCS that sustains jobs and attracts new investment.
“We stand ready to offer any assistance that can bring this dispute to an end.”
Protests were also held outside Wood Group and Shell offices in Aberdeen by union members while images emerged from offshore of those on strike.
Normal work is expected to resume today, however further strike action will take place later this week.
Oil & Gas UK chief executive Deirdre Michie said: “We all need to pull together and we urge all parties to keep talking and find a way to move forward as industry seeks to restore competitiveness.
“The North Sea still has a future, but only if we can attract more investment to the basin to ensure we are still here in the long term, still supporting hundreds of thousands of UK jobs.”
Wood Group said its firm focus remains on reaching an agreement with unions.
Dave Stewart, chief executive for Wood Group’s eastern region business unit, said:“Our firm focus remains on reaching a resolution, which meets our mutual goal of sustaining these jobs for our employees in the North Sea now and in the future, against the backdrop of an extremely challenging climate created by the sustained low oil price.”
