Ineos delays Forties pipeline shutdown

UK’s Ineos has decided to postpone its planned shutdown of the Forties pipeline system until the spring of 2021.

The Forties Pipeline System (FPS) is a 100% Ineos-owned integrated oil and gas liquid transportation and processing system with a nominal capacity in excess of one million barrels per day serving the central area of the North Sea. Oil and gas liquids from over 50 offshore fields and St Fergus flow through pipelines into the FPS.

Ineos said on Tuesday it had responded to further requests from customers and delayed its planned shutdown of the Forties Pipeline System, which was originally planned for June 2020.

According to the operator, the decision has been taken in the face of the ongoing government restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic and in the interests of providing clarity to its customers and the UK Oil and Gas Industry.

Ineos FPS has also written to all its customers saying that there will be a delay to the FPS Summer Shutdown that was planned for 16 June 2020. The Shutdown will now be scheduled for spring 2021.

Ineos explained that it had found a desire to delay the shutdown to 2021 by the majority of its customers. Ineos hopes that this delay will enable its customers to make plans with greater certainty.