Oil platform closed again after second leak in two months

A North Sea platform and pipeline infrastructure were closed down for the second time in two months on Saturday when a leak was, again, found in one of its legs.

More than 70 non-essential personnel were evacuated from the Cormorant Alpha platform, 94 miles north east of Lerwick.

Operator Taqa Bratani said that no oil had been released into the sea.

In January Taqa defended its safety record after politicians and industry representatives raised concerns over the maintenance of ageing oil installations.

That followed a similar incident on the Cormorant Alpha when production was closed down for two days after a small leak was detected.

in a statement released at the weekend a company spokesperson said: “The hydrocarbons were discovered at 09.40 hours local UK time on Saturday during maintenance work. The platform and all pipeline infrastructure were shut down as a precaution.

“Taqa personnel are addressing the situation on Cormorant Alpha and are working with partners to have the Brent pipeline system operational as soon as possible.”