UK North Sea Forties Pipeline System (FPS) operator Ineos says the system is now fully operational, following repairs works to a crack found in an onshore section of the pipeline, early December.
"All restrictions on the flow of oil and gas from platforms feeding into the pipeline system have been lifted and virtually all platforms are now on line," says the firm. "The Ineos facility at Kinneil has restarted and all products are in specification."
FPS is a major export pipeline from more than 80 assets in the UK North Sea, including the UK's two largest producers, Buzzard and Forties. A hairline crack was found early December in an onshore section of the 235mi-long FPS, through which 40% of North Sea oil flowed in 2017.
Force Majeure, declared on 13th December, has now been lifted, Ineos said 30 December, and the loading of crude oil from Hound Point was forecast to re-start over the weekend.
"Ineos has completed work on the pipeline as quickly as possible with safety as its highest priority. We apologize to our customers and the local community for the issues that the pipeline closure has created."
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