TAQA, the global energy company based in Abu Dhabi, can confirm that a hydrocarbon release was detected in one of the Cormorant Alpha platform legs in the northern UK North Sea.

It has now been contained with no further hydrocarbon release. The release remained within the platform leg and no hydrocarbons entered the environment.

The company has removed 71 non-essential personnel from the platform via crew change flights. Everyone is safe and well.

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.

The installation is owned and operated by TAQA and is located 232 miles from Peterhead 94 miles from Lerwick.

Press Release, March 04 , 2013