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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Industry plea to prevent strike | Industry plea to prevent strike |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The oil and gas industry has urged the government to intervene in the industrial dispute at the Grangemouth, Scotland's only refinery. | The oil and gas industry has urged the government to intervene in the industrial dispute at the Grangemouth, Scotland's only refinery. |
| Oil and Gas UK said it was time for ministers to act to avoid further disruption to production. | Oil and Gas UK said it was time for ministers to act to avoid further disruption to production. |
| About 1,200 Grangemouth workers will walk out at 0600 BST on Sunday in a row over pensions. | About 1,200 Grangemouth workers will walk out at 0600 BST on Sunday in a row over pensions. |
| Oil giant BP has been force to will turn off its Forties pipeline, which delivers 30% of the UK's daily oil. | Oil giant BP has been force to will turn off its Forties pipeline, which delivers 30% of the UK's daily oil. |
| The pipeline brings in 700,000 barrels of oil and 80 million cubic metres of gas a day from the North Sea to BP's Kinneil plant, which is powered from the Grangemouth site. | The pipeline brings in 700,000 barrels of oil and 80 million cubic metres of gas a day from the North Sea to BP's Kinneil plant, which is powered from the Grangemouth site. |
| Oil and Gas UK chief executive Malcolm Webb said: "This is now affecting some 80 companies and their operations which are in no way connected to or involved in this dispute. | Oil and Gas UK chief executive Malcolm Webb said: "This is now affecting some 80 companies and their operations which are in no way connected to or involved in this dispute. |
| We are clearly aware of increased activity at the pumps - but there remains no need for people to change their normal pattern of fuel buying Jim MatherScottish tourism minister | We are clearly aware of increased activity at the pumps - but there remains no need for people to change their normal pattern of fuel buying Jim MatherScottish tourism minister |
| "It is now time for the UK Government at the highest level to step in and take all the necessary actions to ensure that the country is not held to ransom in this manner." | "It is now time for the UK Government at the highest level to step in and take all the necessary actions to ensure that the country is not held to ransom in this manner." |
| Oil and Gas UK said the pipeline closure would cost the UK economy £50m a day in lost production - with the Treasury taking half that hit. | Oil and Gas UK said the pipeline closure would cost the UK economy £50m a day in lost production - with the Treasury taking half that hit. |
| The impending strike was also having an impact on the availability of petrol and diesel in Scotland. | The impending strike was also having an impact on the availability of petrol and diesel in Scotland. |
| There were no shortages, industry bosses said, but drivers filling up their tanks unnecessarily caused some petrol station pumps to run dry. | There were no shortages, industry bosses said, but drivers filling up their tanks unnecessarily caused some petrol station pumps to run dry. |
| Production ceased | Production ceased |
| The Scottish Government urged members of the public to consider their car use over the weekend however. | The Scottish Government urged members of the public to consider their car use over the weekend however. |
| Tourism Minister Jim Mather encouraged people to go for a walk rather than a Sunday drive and use public transport. | Tourism Minister Jim Mather encouraged people to go for a walk rather than a Sunday drive and use public transport. |
| He said: "The Scottish Government's message is clear - enjoy the weekend, enjoy our world class scenery, but in the current situation, behave responsibly, reducing avoidable journeys, and using public transport when possible. | He said: "The Scottish Government's message is clear - enjoy the weekend, enjoy our world class scenery, but in the current situation, behave responsibly, reducing avoidable journeys, and using public transport when possible. |
| "We are clearly aware of increased activity at the pumps - but there remains no need for people to change their normal pattern of fuel buying." | "We are clearly aware of increased activity at the pumps - but there remains no need for people to change their normal pattern of fuel buying." |
| Production at Grangemouth ceased on Friday, ahead of the 48-hour strike action. | Production at Grangemouth ceased on Friday, ahead of the 48-hour strike action. |
| The Forties line will be completely shut down by 0600 BST on Sunday. | The Forties line will be completely shut down by 0600 BST on Sunday. |
| John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, today commented on his efforts to avoid a shutdown of oil supplies to the Kinneil plant on the eve of the Grangemouth strike: "I have spoken to both the company and the union. It is important to avoid unnecessary damage to the wider oil and gas economy in Scotland. High steam should continue to be provided to the plant. | |
| "It is wrong to cause this much disruption to the Scottish people and the Scottish economy. It is in no ones interest to affect North Sea oil production - these companies are not party to this dispute. |