Shell to cut 250 North Sea onshore jobs in Aberdeen

Energy company Shell UK is to cut 250 onshore jobs from its North Sea operation in Aberdeen, it has announced.

The company said the move would affect both staff and contractors.

The reduction in staffing will be implemented over the next year. Shell said the move followed consultation with employees.

The energy firm added that it remained determined to have safe and competitive operations in the North Sea.

Shell said it employs about 4,500 staff and core contractors in Scotland, and has about 1,000 additional contractor positions.

Reduce redundancies

A Scottish government spokesperson said: "We recognise this will be a difficult time for the workers who are affected by this announcement and their families.

"The Scottish Government will work closely with Shell and with those who face redundancy to help them into alternative employment.

"We hope that the number of redundancies can be reduced through restructuring and relocation."

The spokesperson added: "We welcome Shell's continuing commitment to the North Sea."

It comes after Chevron announced plans last month to cut more than 200 jobs in Aberdeen.

This week industry body Oil and Gas UK announced that, although the industry's outlook remained positive, business confidence in the sector fell for a fifth successive quarter.