Oil giant BP is paying out “hardship payments” of nearly £2,000 a week to the 70 workers still on board the ETAP platform, where a fire broke out last week, affecting the power supply.
It was claimed that North Sea workers are sleeping in -3 degree temperatures and being sent clothing parcels as they operate on the installation.
It is understood it may be next week before full power is returned to the platform and until then a bare handful of showers will be the norm.
One man who asked to remain anonymous said the current conditions on the platform were “ridiculous” and said employees “should never have been placed in this position”.
BP said 66 workers were removed by helicopter after the alarm was raised on the platform, which lies 100 miles east of Aberdeen on Tuesday.
It later described the fire as “small” and said there had been no injuries.
Those who remain on board are being given an extra £250 a day by their employers in recognition of the current working conditions.
The staff member, however, said: “There are 70 working men on board with six working showers and it is 90% cold food.
“It’s getting as cold as -3 degrees at night and they’re just getting extra clothing sent in, sleeping bags and extra socks.
“BP is the biggest oil company about, they should be treating their men better than that.
“I would have thought they would have sent everyone off until repairs are made.”
A spokesman for BP said that the “wellbeing and safety” of those on ETAP was their “number one priority” and noted they were working on a “recovery plan” that ensured “comfortable living and working conditions”.
He added: “Progress continues to be made with the provision of hot food, hot water and fresh bedding and clothing.
“In recognition of these difficult conditions and the continued support of the team offshore, BP has implemented a hardship payment of £250 (gross) per day, per person.
“Work to resolve the power issue and understand the cause of the fault is ongoing.”
BP said all relevant authorities had been notified of the fire and the steps taken.
ETAP, the East Trough Area Project, is comprised of several offshore fields being processed through a central hub.
Since starting up in 1998, the fields which are BP-operated at ETAP have produced more than 550 million barrels of oil equivalent.
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