Ineos is set to shut down the Forties Pipeline System after it developed a small hairline crack at Red Moss near Netherley, just south of Aberdeen in the UK.

The crack was discovered during a routine inspection by contractors.

The company has now deployed a repair and oil spill response team at the site after oil seepage was noticed.

In a statement, Ineos stated: “Measures to contain the seepage were put in place, no oil has been detected entering the environment and the pipe has been continuously monitored.

“Despite reducing the pressure the crack has extended, and as a consequence, the incident management team has now decided that a controlled shutdown of the pipeline is the safest way to proceed.”

“We will continue to liaise with Ineos and offer any support we can to help bring this situation to a successful conclusion as quickly as possible.”

The shutting down of the pipeline system will allow the company to work up suitable repair method based on the latest inspection data.

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In October this year, Ineos completed its acquisition of the Forties Pipeline System and associated pipelines and facilities from BP.

The 235-mile pipeline connects 85 North Sea oil and gas assets to the mainland and the Ineos site in Grangemouth.

A spokesman for BP was quoted by media sources as saying: “Ineos requested, and we have initiated, a temporary shutdown of production through our Andrew, Etap and Bruce hubs until this is resolved.

“We will continue to liaise with Ineos and offer any support we can to help bring this situation to a successful conclusion as quickly as possible.”

Last year, the pipeline’s average daily throughput was 445,000 barrels of oil and around 3,500 tonnes of raw gas per day.