Closure of the Forties oil pipeline as a result of the Grangemouth dispute could cost the British economy up to £50m a day according to Oil and Gas UK.
Up to 1,200 staff at the Ineos plant will strike on Sunday and Monday in a row over pensions.
Grangemouth powers the BP-controlled Forties pipeline at Kinneil processing plant, which provides a third of the UK’s daily oil output.
Unite Union leaders will hold a mass meeting with Grangemouth workers ahead of the strike to brief them on the latest situation. They have warned that the walkout could be escalated following the breakdown of talks on Wednesday.
Energy minister Malcolm Wicks said that the pipeline is a "crucial" piece of UK infrastructure; it receives about 725,000 barrels of crude oil and 80 million cubic metres of gas a day.
As the strike looms closer, Unite and Ineos have been urged to hold further talks to resolve the dispute.
Motoring organisations have urged drivers not to panic buy as business at petrol pumps must remain steady.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said there should be enough fuel to avoid shortages.
Mr Swinney said: "What we are confident about is that we have taken preparations to make sure that there are ample supplies of petrol and diesel available well into the month of May."
Airport operator BAA has advised airlines to refuel at the point of origin in order to safeguard fuel reserves.
Ineos announced on Tuesday that it was taking legal action against Unite for "inaccurate and misleading" public comments made during the dispute.
The company said Unite had claimed that Ineos had "stripped £40m" from the Grangemouth pension fund when it was transferred in 2005.
"Unite believes that it is legitimate to comment that Ineos are responsible for the current pension plan being valued about £40m below what the value would have been had the full value of the fund been transferred in 2005," a spokesperson for the union said.
(GK/NS)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
26/11/2024
Scottish Water has unveiled its largest-ever procurement initiative, aiming to modernise the nation's water and wastewater infrastructure while safeguarding the environment. The program, named Delivery Vehicle 4, is valued between £5 billion and £9 billion and is set to run from 2027 to 2033, with ...
26/11/2024
The City of Edinburgh Council has granted planning permission, subject to conditions, for the refurbishment of Calton Square, an office building currently occupied by Baillie Gifford until the end of December 2025. Promoted by Ardstone Capital on behalf of Manova Partners, the project aims to ...
26/11/2024
First Minister John Swinney, MSP for Perthshire North, praised the progress being made on the construction of the new Perth High School during a visit on Friday, 22 November. He was joined by Jim Fairlie, MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, alongside senior Perth and Kinross Councillors, ...
26/11/2024
A state-of-the-art playpark has officially opened at King George V Park in Bearsden, following the completion of a £100,000 refurbishment. Funded by a combination of East Dunbartonshire Council (EDC) Capital Funding and the Scottish Government’s Renewing Scotland’s Play Parks initiative, the ...
26/11/2024
Fife Council has launched a public consultation, inviting residents, businesses, and organizations to contribute ideas and propose sites for inclusion in the next Local Development Plan, known as Fife's Place Plan. The council is calling on community councils, landowners, and developers to share ...
26/11/2024
The Chief Executive of East Lothian Council has announced she is to retire in February 2025. Monica Patterson who has been Chief Executive for almost five years, has spent most of her professional career working in local government. Prior to joining East Lothian Council in 2010, she was Head of ...
25/11/2024
West of Scotland Housing Association (WSHA) and Connect Modular have jointly submitted a planning application to Glasgow City Council for the development of 33 affordable homes in Cowlairs. This project aligns with the wider Cowlairs Park regeneration scheme and the city's ambitious housing ...
25/11/2024
Arc-Tech (Scotland) has successfully completed a £6m Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) services package for the Lost Shore Surf Resort in Edinburgh. The state-of-the-art resort, which opened its doors earlier this month, features a range of amenities, including a wave pool, luxury lodges, and ...
25/11/2024
Scottish Water has successfully completed the construction of a groundbreaking hydro energy generation scheme at Whiteadder Reservoir in East Lothian. This innovative project, believed to be the first of its kind in Europe, will harness the power of water to offset a significant portion of the ...
25/11/2024
Work is set to commence on a £6.5 million project to upgrade the Double Dykes Gypsy/Traveller site near Perth. The initiative aims to replace outdated chalets with modern, energy-efficient accommodation and implement significant site improvements. Perth & Kinross Council secured £3.9 million from ...