DUNFERMLINE MP Douglas Chapman will meet with bosses from global oilfield provider Oceaneering over concerns that half its workforce will be laid off by the end of August.

Last month, the Press told you that the the global oilfield provider was preparing to wield the axe, with up to 130 jobs to go, due to “reduced demand for our services and products”.

It's now been suggested that 170 staff will now be out of a job – but Oceaneering said it was unable to confirm this nor provide further information as its consultation process was ongoing.

The firm had announced job losses in January of this year, blaming the “harsh decline” in crude oil prices. In the same month, FMC Technologies in Dunfermline said 80 jobs would be lost by June.

A statement from Oceaneering, which has its headquarters in Texas, said: “In this challenged market environment, we continue to face a slowdown in deepwater activity and reduced demand for our services and products.

“As a result, Oceaneering has been making the necessary changes to manage through the cycle, including adjusting the Company’s cost structure by, unfortunately, reducing some staff at our Rosyth facility as we align our capacity with current and anticipated market demand.

“Managing this process with the utmost consideration for our staff will be a top priority.”

Mr Chapman, who will meet Oceaneering bosses next Thursday, told the Press: “The discussion I had with Oceaneering when the potential for job losses was first announced was that the company were looking at releasing temporary employees as a first step in an effort to protect permanent jobs at Rosyth.

“The confirmation of job losses is very disappointing and upsetting for all those concerned.

“It seems the general downturn in the oil and gas sector is part of the economic climate we are all wrestling with at the moment.

“In the past month I have met with Oil and Gas UK, the industry body and the Norwegian state owned oil company, Statoil, who have both suggested that the longer term future for the North Sea was not as bad as it was being painted and new fields west of Shetland could provide a much needed boost for the oil and gas industry in Scotland.

“Opportunities such as this could safeguard future operations and jobs for companies like Oceaneering and other Fife companies that have been impacted by reduced investment in the North Sea.”

Will you be affected by Oceaneering's proposed cuts in Rosyth? Get in touch with the news desk on 01383 747515.