Ineos has vowed to carry on with its planned shutdown of the Forties Pipeline System in June.
A spokesman for the company said Ineos was watching the recent market convulsions “very closely”.
Ineos has said it would implement measures to protect employees and ensure the “continued operation of its plants and businesses” during the coronavirus crisis.
In that context, the summer shutdown is “unchanged”, the spokesman said yesterday.
FPS will be switched off for several weeks in summer to let operator Ineos carry out upgrades as part of a £500 million project to rejuvenate the pipeline.
The 310-mile long FPS opened in 1975 and is responsible for transporting about 40% of UK North Sea oil and gas to shore.
Its maximum capacity is 600,000 barrels of oil per day.
Oil and Gas UK recently said its supply chain director Matt Abraham had been tasked with “providing an overview and coordinating activities” linked to the shutdown.
Yesterday, OGUK’s market intelligence manager, Ross Dornan, said most planned activity would be up for review or reevaluation in light of the recent price drop.
Mr Dornan said: “That’s likely to be the case across board, not just with FPS. Companies are going to reduce operational risks and activities like turnarounds will fall into that category.
“It’s something we’re discussing with our members, including Ineos FPS and E&P companies across the basin to see what the best approach is now.
“It’s a very fluid and dynamic environment. More will be known in the coming weeks, but we have to make sure activity across the basin is appropriate and right in terms of the business environment.”
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