Forties pipeline repair could take weeks

It looks like repairs to the Forties pipeline, which carries 40% of North Sea oil and gas, could take up to three weeks.

Northsound News revealed last week that a crack had been discovered during a routine inspection near Netherley.

At least one family was evacuated while repairs were carried out.

Operators Ineos said the work would be more complicated than first thought as the crack has grown, and they've had to shut down the flow of oil.

The price of Brent Crude has risen at the news.

A barrel now costs more than $65 for the first time since 2015.

There are concerns that will lead to a rise in the cost of filling up our cars, or heating our homes over Christmas.

The shutdown was raised at Holyrood in an urgent question from North East Scotland Lib Dem MSP Mike Rumbles.

Mr Rumbles called for reassurances that the crack was a one-off, adding: “People living along the length of this pipeline, especially in Aberdeenshire, are worried that there may be further, as yet undetected, fractures.”

Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said the Scottish Government was seeking reassurances from Ineos that no similar problems would arise elsewhere.

“It's not possible at this stage to give any clarity on those points but it's clearly something that has been raised by the Scottish Government with Ineos and we'll seek further clarity on that.

“What I would say is that this is a fault that has been identified during routine maintenance. Routine maintenance happens all the time on the pipeline and that hopefully will give confidence to the public that a breach has been discovered before it became a significant issue.”

Pressed on the implications for oil and gas workers, Mr Wheelhouse said ministers were seeking information on the impact of the shutdown on particular companies.

He said: “We'll be seeking as a high priority to ensure we protect the interest of those supply chain companies which may have cashflow difficulties if they are not able to conduct the work that they have been contracted to do.

“We are keen to ensure that we protect the workforce of those involved in production on the platforms that have been affected by the Forties pipeline system shutdown from having any impact - at a difficult time for the sector already - having any further exacerbating effect on employment or profitability in those companies."

Deirdre Michie, Chief Executive of Oil & Gas UK, said:

“We have been in touch with Ineos and are closely monitoring the situation. The shutting down of the Forties pipeline does cause significant issues for our industry, financially, operationally and commercially – 40% of oil production is now shut in and the resulting lost production is worth around £20m per day at current oil prices to industry. We hope this can be resolved safely and as quickly as possible."