The action will take place today and tomorrow on seven Shell-operated platforms after a further round of talks failed to reach an amicable solution.

Unite and RMT unions who represent the workforce are representing hundreds of workers involved in the dispute over pay and conditions with oil services company Wood Group.

A 24-hour strike held a week ago was the first industrial action of its kind in the North Sea in nearly 30 years.

How do you strike on an oil platform?

Aberdeen-based Wood Group provides maintenance and construction to Shell and signed a three-year extension to its contract earlier this year.

Some workers claim they are facing cuts of up to 30%.

‘Clear mandate’

Wood Group – which denies that claim – said it was “hugely disappointed that the action was progressing”.

The industrial action affects the Shearwater, Gannet, Nelson, Curlew, Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie platforms.

BBC Scotland revealed on Tuesday evening that the fresh talks had failed.

John Boland, Unite’s regional officer, told Radio Scotland’s Good Morning Scotland programme they wanted more involvement with Shell, which owns the seven oil rigs affected by the industrial action.

He said: “They’ve been very much of the view that it’s nothing to do with them.

“I think it’s vital that Shell get involved in this and actually try and help to resolve this.”

He added: “The employers have got to realise that they can’t just cut and slash terms and conditions as a way of getting out of the difficulties in the North Sea.

“They’ve got to work together with the unions to find a constructive way forward.”

Dave Stewart, from Wood Group, said he was disappointed that the unions had chosen to go ahead with further industrial action.

He told the programme: “Why do people want to strike when we’ve offered to continue with the dialogue to get to a position of what will solve this. I do not have a clear mandate from the unions that says ‘if you give me this we will be happy’.