Oil firm CNR cuts out freebies for office staff

North Sea oil firm Canadian Natural Resources (CNR) is phasing out some of the freebies at its Aberdeen office in an attempt to crack down on costs.

The firm has removed complimentary newspapers and fruit from communal areas from June 8, although free fruit will still be available in the restaurant, according to a recent e-mail sent to CNR staff.

Hot lunch meals are also in line for the chop, with the price of meal deals going up 50p to £2.50, it said. The lunch service was to be changed to soup, salad and a sandwich bar.

A spokesman for CNR said: “As part of its ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its North Sea business, it has made minor alterations to the facilities management service provision at its St Magnus House headquarters in Aberdeen.

“These are small but sensible changes which form part of our bigger focus across the entire business to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

“This is in order that we remain competitive and viable in the basin in the longer term, which will benefit every employee of the company.”

It is unclear how much money CNR will save.

The company slumped to net losses of £160million in the first quarter of 2015, having slashed its budget for the year by £1.6billion to £4billion. CNR, which employs about 2,500 workers offshore and 400 in its Aberdeen offices, is not the only firm to make slightly left-of-field cuts in recent times. Westhill-based Subsea 7 axed its last Christmas ball, slated for February, due to “significant challenges” within the oil and gas industry. Aker Solutions also cancelled its Christmas party.

“These are small but sensible changes”