According to Unite, around 1,400 offshore workers across five companies are planning to strike, which could bring platforms and offshore installations to a “standstill”.

The latest round of industrial action will hit BP, CNRI, EnQuest, Harbour, Ithaca, Shell and Total.

Fossil fuel extractors have enjoyed bumper profits over the last year as the war in Ukraine ramped up pressure on the oil and gas markets. In November, BP reported a massive rise in its global profits, leading to calls for the government to increase windfall taxes to soften the blow of high prices on UK households.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Oil and gas companies have been given free rein to enjoy massive windfall profits in the North Sea; drilling concessions are effectively licences to print money.

“1,400 offshore workers are now set to take strike action against these employers who are raking it but refusing to give them a fair share of the pie. This will create a tsunami...