Apache suspends drilling work in North Sea

The company is also reducing its workforce in the UK as it considers its operation no longer competitive due to high taxes.

Archana Rani June 12 2023

Oil producer Apache, a subsidiary of APA Corporation, has suspended drilling operations at its assets in the North Sea offshore UK, reported Reuters.

The company is also reducing its workforce in the UK as the operation is no longer competitive due to high taxes.

In November 2022, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak increased the Energy Profits Levy (EPL) from 25% to 35% on oil and gas companies, thus bringing the total taxes on the sector to 75%.

Effective until March 2028, the tax applies to profits made from oil and gas extraction in the UK.

However, last week, the UK Government announced its decision to scale back the windfall tax on oil and gas producers in case global energy prices drop to a certain level.

An Apache spokeswoman was quoted by the news agency as saying in an email: "We are reassessing our investments, as we consider the challenging UK macro environment with its increasingly costly and burdensome tax and regulatory regime.

"Given the business climate for the oil and gas industry in the UK, these assets have become less competitive in comparison to the rest of our portfolio.”

As per the latest windfall tax, suppliers will only pay 40% in tax in case oil prices fall to, or below, £56.91 ($71.40) per barrel for a period of three consecutive months. For gas suppliers, the rate is set at £0.54 per term.

Earlier this year, Reuters reported that UK-based company Harbour Energy plans to cut jobs due to the windfall tax imposed on the oil and gas sector.

Uncover your next opportunity with expert reports

Steer your business strategy with key data and insights from our latest market research reports and company profiles. Not ready to buy? Start small by downloading a sample report first.

Newsletters by sectors

close

Sign up to the newsletter: In Brief

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.

close