Ithaca Energy notified that the production start-up from the Stella field in the UK North Sea has been delayed due to faults discovered on electrical junction boxes on FPF-1 vessel’s processing facilities.

The faults were discovered during the routine inspections, and a programme of necessary repairs is underway.

All other preparations are on plan, the company said. Start-up is now anticipated in early January 2017, upon completion of this additional work.

Les Thomas, chief executive officer, said: “The safety and integrity of the facility is paramount and we must ensure that everything is done meticulously in advance of the introduction of hydrocarbons into the facility. Although any delay to start-up at this stage is frustrating, the value of a thorough inspection programme has been proven and we look forward to completion of this work and the imminent start-up of production.”