The company said the decision follows an organisational review at its headquarters which was completed in late 2016.

Maersk said it is looking to simplify its organisational structure as it looks to improve efficiency and delivery of its three pillar strategy.

Martin Rune Pedersen, chief operating officer of Maersk Oil said: “Our employees have done a great job in getting us to where we are today, and we recognise that this announcement will be unsettling news for them. It is however a necessary step in order to remain competitive in the Danish North Sea and the wider Maersk Oil business.”

The complete reorganisation is expected to take place over the coming months. The first phase to reconfigure the onshore organisation is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2017. This will see the consolidation of all employees at the Esbjerg Office.

Patrick Gilly, managing director of Maersk Oil DBU, said: “What we are announcing today will ensure our long term future in a sustainable manner and it is a step in our efforts to support the

Maersk Oil North Sea ambitions. The simpler organisation enables us to operate in a leaner and more integrated way with a maintained focus on creating maximum value from safe operations of the mature fields in the Danish North Sea.”