OREANDA-NEWS. Tulsa, Oklahoma-based midstream operator Williams began laying off employees today as part of a cost savings plan announced in January.

"The company began implementing cost reduction initiatives in the first quarter of 2016, including the postponement of salary increases, significantly reducing or eliminating hiring in some areas of the company and also reducing the number of contractors and outside services the company utilizes," Williams said in a statement.

The layoffs are expected to affect approximately 10pc of Williams' total North American workforce. The areas to be most effected are those in basins where producers are also cutting back, the company said.

Williams said the reductions are not related to the proposed $37.7bn merger with Energy Transfer Equity.