Repsol Sinopec Resources UK (RSRUK) will make 70 employees redundant in Aberdeen.
The North Sea oil producer said changes to the way it manages offshore assets had led to the decision.
RSRUK is one of several oil companies to have revealed plans for job losses in recent weeks.
Total intends to let go of about 300 workers in the north-east following its takeover of Maersk Oil. Meanwhile, BP, ConocoPhillips and Petrofac have all announced redundancy plans which could impact the region.
RSRUK said its job losses would only impact onshore staff members at its base in Holburn Street, Aberdeen, and that voluntary redundancies would be offered.
RSRUK said it had made “huge progress” in the last three years and had moved into the upper half of the Oil and Gas Authority’s production efficiency rankings.
But the company said it still had more to do to reduce lifting costs.
It previously packaged its North Sea assets into five separate operational groups, but investment in technology means it will be able to cut that down to three.
In September, the business said it would axe 80 offshore positions due to lower activity levels and the completion of a number of major projects.
RSRUK’s spokesman said yesterday: “We are integrating our assets around digital operating hubs, which we have piloted very successfully on Montrose and Arbroath over the last 12 months, to support faster and more informed decision-making. We will also capitalise on our improved internal capabilities and processes.
“As a result of this we are beginning a consultation today on a proposed new design for our onshore organisation. Subject to the outcome of this consultation we expect the number of staff positions will be reduced by around 70.
“We are very aware of our responsibilities to our people and will consider any measures to mitigate the impact on those affected by the reductions, including looking to redeploy staff where possible.
“With a view to reducing compulsory redundancies we will also be offering the option of voluntary redundancy.”
John Boland, regional officer for the Unite trade union, said it was “always disappointing to see any” job losses and that he hoped redeployments and voluntary redundancies would take out some of the sting.
Mr Boland said offshore job losses in recent years meant operators needed fewer office-based staff to manage operations in the North Sea.
North-east Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said the recent announcements about cuts showed that a complete recovery was “still some way off”.
Mr Macdonald said: “Companies are still being forced to make cuts and savings in order to remain competitive. Staff are still facing a difficult and uncertain time, even as the industry can see a light at the end of the tunnel.
“Further job losses go to show that the job is far from over for the Scottish Government or the UK Government, and that agencies need to continue their work in the north-east to support the oil and gas industry, as well as those who have lost their jobs.”
RSRUK is jointly owned by Repsol (51%) and Chinese firm Sinopec Group (49%) following the Spanish energy giant’s acquisition of the global assets of Talisman Energy in 2015.
It has interests in 52 fields on the UK continental shelf with 11 offshore installations and two onshore terminals.
The firm – formerly Talisman Sinopec Energy UK − achieved first oil from the Montrose Area Redevelopment (MAR) in May 2017.
The sub-£2billion project is expected to unlock up to 100million boe of additional reserves.
RSRUK recorded pre-tax losses of £1.1billion in 2016, compared to a deficit of £635million in 2015.
Recommended for you
