The North Sea’s largest-producing oil field has been shut down after a defect was found during an inspection.
Operator CNOOC confirmed a “safe, temporary” shutdown has taken place at the Buzzard platform, around 60 miles north-east of Aberdeen.
Repairs are being made to the installation’s topsides pipework.
CNOOC could not confirm how long the shutdown will last but said normal operations will resume once repairs are completed.
A spokesman said: “CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, has taken a safe, temporary shutdown of its Buzzard installation to repair topsides pipework.
“Normal operations are expected to resume once the repair is complete.”
Buzzard is currently the largest producer in the UK according to the Oil and Gas Authority’s website, followed by BP’s Schiehallion field.
Discovered in 2001, it is one of the largest finds in UK waters of the last two decades and started production in 2007.
CNOOC holds a 43% stake in Buzzard.
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