Virus forces postponement of North Sea Forties pipeline shutdown
March 25, 2020
INEOS FPS has decided to delay this summer’s planned shutdown of the Forties Pipeline System in the UK central North Sea, following requests from customers.
Offshore staff
LONDON – INEOS FPS has decided to delay this summer’s planned shutdown of the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) in the UK central North Sea, following requests from customers.
The start has now been postponed from June 16 to August 2020 at the earliest. The company took its decision because of the spread of the COVID-19 virus and the need to avoid bringing together large numbers of personnel.
INEOS added that it was also mindful of the benefits of completing this program to the FPS’ future operation, with the associated risks of not going ahead. But it recognized the importance of maintaining a flow of oil and gas through the system during the current situation.
It is in discussions with the UK government and its customer and other stakeholders on determining the best dates to plan these projects.
