A North Sea oil platform had to be shut down this week, prompting a major rescue operation, it emerged yesterday.
It is understood as many as 85 workers were taken off Marathon Oil’s East Brae facility on Tuesday evening following a power failure.
A source said there was a call to muster about 2pm, with five helicopters used for pick-ups starting around 6pm.
It is understood the first four aircraft took workers to the Brae Bravo platform, while the fifth headed for Aberdeen.
The exact cause of the shutdown and subsequent evacuation, which was confirmed by a contractor, is not known.
Marathon Oil, operator of the Brae field about 170 miles north-east of Aberdeen, did not immediately respond for a request for more details.
Last December, the Houston-based firm’s Brae Alpha platform was shut down for four days after a major gas scare and huge rescue operation.
A helicopter and standby vessel were sent to the installation following a distress warning to the Coastguard after “multiple” gas alarms went off on Boxing Day.
Equity partners in Brae include Marathon, Taqa, Centrica and JX Nippon Exploration and Production (UK).