Shell UK Outlines New Work Rota for Central North Sea Assets

Shell UK revealed on the 18^th September that it will change its offshore operating model on its central North Sea assets.

“As a result of the new operating model we will combine our operations and maintenance teams, creating new multi-skilled operation and maintenance technician roles in the Shell organisation,” the company said.

“This will include a change in the working pattern to a 2/3 cycle (two weeks offshore, three weeks field break) for Shell staff and our core crew,” the company added.

“Given the maturity of decommissioning activity, we don’t plan any changes to the operating model on our Brent Alpha or Brent Bravo platforms as we expect both platforms to down-man in 2019, however Brent Charlie will move to the new rota,” the company continued.

Shell UK said it anticipates the changes being implemented in the second quarter of next year.

In April, Shell UK announced a review of its offshore operating model. The company said the purpose of the review was to continue to drive its offshore productivity, address some issues from offshore personnel and manage its business following the planned down-man of three installations in 2019.

UK union Unite welcomed the decision by Shell to move to a new working pattern.

“Unite has consistently highlighted the dangers of three week working offshore and has been campaigning to get operators to move to better rotas for the welfare and health of our members,” Unite Regional Industrial Officer John Boland said in a union statement.

“It is good to see that Shell have listened to Unite and the views of the wider workforce,” he added.

Source: Rigzone