The North Sea’s largest producing oil field has been shutdown amid planned maintenance, according to a report from Reuters.
Quoting trade sources, the news agency said Buzzard, which is operated by Nexen, is undergoing planned maintenance which was originally scheduled for August.
The field is the largest contributor to the Forties crude oil grade, pumping around 150,000 barrels of oil per day.
Reuters reports the field is due back by the end of the week and that the volume going through Forties has not dropped unexpectedly.
When asked for comment by Energy Voice, a Nexen spokeswoman said: “Nexen does not comment on production of individual assets.”
Buzzard, which lies 60 miles north-east of Aberdeen, was discovered in 2001 and produced first oil in 2007.
Last month Nexen confirmed Phase 2 of Buzzard would go ahead, extending its life by another decade.
First oil from Phase 2 is expected in 2021.
