Road restrictions around a major North Sea pipeline have been lifted following the completion of work to repair a fault in the pipe.
A hairline crack was found during a routine inspection between Cookney and Netherley in early December, leading to the shutdown and a safety cordon being erected around the area.
The 235-mile Forties Pipeline System links 85 North Sea fields to the UK mainland and the Ineos site in Grangemouth, and carries 40% of North Sea oil and gas.
Operator Ineos said repairs are now complete and the oil and gas flow has been re-started.
A spokesman said: “All restrictions on the flow of oil and gas from platforms feeding into the pipeline system have been fully lifted. All customers and control rooms have now been informed.
“Ineos has partially re-started the Kinneil facility. As soon as the plant is receiving sufficient gas from the North Sea the company will begin restarting further parts of the plant.
“There is currently increased flaring at the site as we progressively and safely start up the gas processing unit.
“Ineos will complete this work as quickly as possible but safety is the highest priority. Based on current estimates the company expects to bring the pipeline and Kinneil progressively back to normal rates around New Year.
“The precautionary safety cordon has been removed and the unclassified CK12 Netherley to Cookney road, which passes close to the site has been re-opened to general traffic by the police.
“We apologise to our customers and the local community for the issues that the pipeline closure has created.”
The repair work had a number of knock-on effects for the oil industry and consumers. Deirdre Michie, chief executive of Oil and Gas UK, warned that the shutdown would cost the industry up to £20 million a day.
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