The UK’s largest-producing oil field has once again been restarted after it was shut down for the second time in a month.
Production from CNOOC’s Buzzard was first shut down on October 4 when a defect was discovered during a topsides inspection.
It was repaired and the field was restarted on Sunday 13 but it was once again shut-in after it was discovered the repair was not sufficient.
The field has been shut down since Wednesday 16 but it has once again restarted.
A spokeswoman for CNOOC Petroleum Europe said: “The topsides pipework defect has been repaired and production has safely restarted.”
Buzzard is the largest UK producer in the 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.
Between its operations in the UK and Ireland, Cnooc employs around 600 people offshore and in onshore administration roles.
Cnooc, formerly Nexen UK, announced in June it was “actively assess opportunities including the acquisition of additional exploration and production acreage” in the UK North Sea.
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