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Cormorant Alpha leak shuts down up to 27 UK oil fields | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A pipeline system servicing up to 27 oil fields has been shut down after a leak on the Cormorant Alpha platform, north-east of Shetland. | |
The fields affected, and another eight associated platforms, produce up to 6% of the UK's oil and gas output. | |
Hydrocarbons were detected inside a leg of the Cormorant Alpha platform. | |
Its operator, Taqa Bratani, has removed non-essential workers as a precaution and said the leak had been contained. | Its operator, Taqa Bratani, has removed non-essential workers as a precaution and said the leak had been contained. |
Shutting down the platform, which is about 100 miles from Shetland, affects the whole Brent pipeline system. | |
The oil leak at Cormorant Alpha was discovered on Monday and non-essential crew were taken off the installation by helicopter. | The oil leak at Cormorant Alpha was discovered on Monday and non-essential crew were taken off the installation by helicopter. |
Taqa, also known as Abu Dhabi National Energy, said nothing had leaked into the sea and a technical team was investigating the source. | Taqa, also known as Abu Dhabi National Energy, said nothing had leaked into the sea and a technical team was investigating the source. |
The BBC understands the rest of the Brent pipeline system can no longer operate because Cormorant Alpha, which is situated some 94 miles from Lerwick in Shetland, is a crucial pumping station. | |
Eight other platforms have shut down with up to 27 North Sea fields affected. | |
Oil and Gas UK - the offshore industry body - said oil transported through the Brent pipeline system represented between five and six percent of the UK's North Sea oil and gas production. | |