The leader of Aberdeen City Council said was working to help “anchor” the oil and gas supply chain in the city, after oil major BP announced 600 jobs losses from its North Sea operations.
Councillor Jenny Laing said the move by the company was “disappointing” but backed a renewed commitment by BP to investing long-term in the North Sea.
BP today informed staff members of plans to slash its North Sea headcount by 20% amid “toughening market conditions”.
Of the 3,000 staff members, 1,800 work in Aberdeen, 500 are employed offshore, 200 are based at Sullom Voe on Shetland, 200 are in the Grangemouth area, while a further 250 are in South Korea on contracts linked to BP’s Quad 204 and Claire Ridge developments.
Councillor Jenny Laing, said: “This is very disappointing news and a sign of the continued difficulties facing the sector, but we welcome the commitment from BP that the company still sees a long-term future in this area and is continuing to invest heavily in the North Sea.
“As a council, we are working closely with the UK and Scottish governments, our colleagues in Aberdeenshire Council and the private sector towards securing a City Region Deal for the north-east.
“We believe that can help to anchor the oil and gas supply chain here in the Aberdeen area for decades to come while diversifying the local economy into emerging sectors including renewables, tourism, food and drink and life sciences.”
In January last year, Aberdeen City Council announced a North Sea oil summit which was held in the city with officials from companies, politicians and unions as the decline in oil price continued.
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