Hard Brexit warning from Oil and Gas UK

A “hard Brexit” could lead to the shutdown of North Sea oil and gas platforms, Oil and Gas UK has warned.

The trade body warns in its annual report that plans to leave the EU could cause a “skills shortage” for vital North Sea services such as Emergency Response and Rescue Vehicles (ERRVS).

It also highlights implications for movement of critical equipment and for growing the UK’S share of the global oilfield services market.

Without standby ERRVS, “platforms would have to shut down operations and production”, according to the report, which said the emergency vessels may not be able to operate if there are issues with recruiting engineers from in or outside the UK.

Oil and Gas UK said around 5% of the total workforce comes from other EU countries, who also make up 7% of workers offshore.

The report adds that it is “vital” arrangements are put in place between the UK and the EU to allow “continued frictionless movement of people”.

It states: “Some vessels working offshore, such as Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVS), require skilled engineers.

“If there are difficulties in recruiting them from in or outside the UK, then the ERRVS will not be able to provide the vital standby service to offshore platforms – without which the platforms would have to shut down operations and production.”

Platforms could be shut down due to skills shortages arising from Brexit, warns Oil and Gas UK.