The pipeline system that runs through the Cormorant Alpha platform was shut down following the detection of hydrocarbons leak in the platform’s leg.

TAQA said it resumed the operations after it thoroughly carried out technical investigations and safety evaluation. The leak was contained within the platform’s leg and no leak was reported in the external environment.

The Cormorant Alpha platform operated by TAQA Bratani is situated 373.3km from Peterhead, Scotland and 151.2km from Lerwick in the Shetland Islands.

The platform is able to feed about 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil into the Brent pipeline system including 10,000 bpd of Cormorant Alpha production.

Initial flows of crude oil in the pipeline system are expected to gradually increase to around 80,000 bpd while other platforms in the system return to normal operations.

Production of the platform is still closed and will be restarted only after further evaluation on the leg is conducted to satisfying levels.