A large pipeline in the North Sea which was forced to close this week after an oil platform it runs through sprang a leak has now reopened.

The contained leak was discovered on Monday and originally forced neighbouring 27 fields to halt production. The Abu Dhabi owner of the Cormorant Alpha platform (pictured) has announced oil is now flowing again in the Brent pipeline system.

The platform normally handles about 90,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil. Crude oil in the pipeline system is expected to rise to around 80,000 bpd as other platforms in the Brent system get back to normal.

The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA) said in a statement yesterday: “Cormorant Alpha production remains closed while evaluations and work on the platform leg continues. The hydrocarbons released are fully contained within the Cormorant Alpha platform leg, and there has been no leak to the external environment.

“Work so far has mitigated the release and plans are being assessed for the repair of the affected line, which is not connected to the Brent pipeline system,” the statement added.