OREANDA-NEWS. In response to continuing cost and efficiency challenges affecting the UK North Sea oil & gas sector, Wood Group PSN (WGPSN) has today (Friday 19 February) announced plans to reduce the rates paid to approximately a third of its UK-based limited company contractors by an average of 9 per cent, in line with competitive market rates.

James Crawford, managing director of WGPSN in the UK and Africa, said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but we believe it is the right one to proactively meet the continuing cost and resourcing challenges affecting the UK North Sea oil and gas sector. Our focus and commitment remains on contributing to the industry’s long-term sustainability.

“This adjustment to the rates we pay our UK contractors ensures we continue to be competitive within the marketplace. We highly value our contractors and this measure will allow us to sustain our relationship with these talented people, whilst taking appropriate measures to improve efficiency and reduce cost for our customers.”

This latest adjustment to contractors’ rates follows a 10 per cent decrease in UK onshore contractors’ rates made in May, 2014 and a further up to 10 per cent decrease in UK contractors' rates made by WGPSN in December, 2014.

More than 7500 people work for WGPSN in the UK, including approximately 600 contractors.

Notes to editors:

Wood Group is an international energy services company with $6bn sales and operating in more than 50 countries. The Group is built on Core Values and has three businesses – Wood Group PSN, Wood Group Kenny and Wood Group Mustang – providing a range of engineering, production support and maintenance management services to the oil & gas, and power generation industries worldwide. 

Wood Group PSN is a global provider of pre-operations, hook up & commissioning, operations & maintenance, engineering, construction, project management, training and decommissioning services to the energy industry. Operating in more than 40 countries, Wood Group PSN offers high integrity, brownfield services that support customers to optimise performance, maintain production, reduce operating costs and provide integrity assurance.