Ineos said today that the Forties pipeline will shut down for a “short period” to allow repairs to be carried out.
The 235-mile pipeline system links 85 North Sea oil and gas assets to the UK mainland and the Ineos site in Grangemouth.
It delivers almost 40% of the UK’s North Sea oil and gas production.
Petrochemicals giant Ineos bought the system from BP at the end of October.
Last week the company said a number of residents had been evacuated after a small leak was detected near Netherley, Aberdeenshire.
The Netherley to Cookney road has been shut and a 300-metre cordon set up around the site.
Ineos initially lowered the pressure in the pipeline, but did not have to shut it down.
But today the company said the crack had widened, prompting the shutdown.
An Ineos spokesman said: “Last week Ineos contractors discovered a small crack in the pipe at Red Moss near Netherely.
“An incident management team was immediately dispatched to the site and remedial work started.
“A 300 metre cordon was set up, a small number of local residents were advised to leave and the pipe was depressurised whilst a full assessment of the situation was made.
“Following this assessment, a custom reinforced clamp was commissioned which will allow a robust oil and gas tight repair to be made
“Despite the depressurisation, the crack has widened from 106mm to 155mm and the Incident Team who are working with NTS have now decided that shutting the pipe for a short period is the safest way forward.
“This will allow for additional remedial work to be done whilst reducing the risk of injury to staff and the possibility of oil escaping into the environment.
“Up to now, no oil or gas seepage has been detected and the pipe is being closely monitored.
“As always, safety remains Ineos top priority and local residents, FPS users and other stakeholders are all being kept fully informed of the situation as it develops.”
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