North sea firm IOG is working to restore production from one of the fields that makes up its flagship Saturn Banks scheme.
The company and its offshore duty holder ODE Asset Management (ODEAM) have continued to investigate the previously announced chemical injection fault on the Blythe platform.
As a result of the issue the Blythe well had to be temporarily shut in.
On further inspection, additional process, safety studies and procurement of materials are required before a solution can be applied, IOG (LON: IOG) said.
These work streams are being pursued as “rapidly as possible” to expedite safe reopening of the Blythe well.
The London-listed company confirmed that the fault is a mechanical issue on the Blythe topsides and does not relate to the Blythe reservoir.
Production from the Elgood field, a subsea tie-back to the Blythe platform, hasn’t been impacted by the issue.
Meanwhile at the Southwark field development drilling is expected to resume by mid-April after a successful exercise to remediate the seabed conditions was carried out.
Andrew Hockey, chief executive of IOG, commented: “We are working urgently to resolve this very frustrating platform mechanical issue which has shut in the Blythe well. Importantly, this is not a reservoir related issue and Elgood production continues in the meantime within a very strong gas market. We will release further updates as we clarify the timing of Blythe resumption.”