‘Suspected unexploded device’ discovered near North Sea FLAGS pipeline

Shell is investigating a “suspected unexploded ordnance” near a gas pipeline in the North Sea.

The device – which is not believed to be recent or sabotage – was discovered last month about 80km east of Shetland during a routine inspection near the Far North Liquids and Associated Gas System (FLAGS) pipeline.

The FLAGS pipeline transports gas and associated liquids from a number of platforms in the North Sea, including the Brent oilfield, to St Fergus Gas Terminal in Aberdeenshire.

Shell said the pipeline is operating as normal.

A spokesperson for the oil and gas firm added: “We are working with a third party to further investigate and fully identify the object.

“We continue to liaise with relevant authorities including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and have positioned a guard vessel at the location.”

The discovery of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the North Sea is not unusual.

Items can include old mines and Second World War shells.

Last year, Hughes Subsea was tasked with disposing of UXO at ScottishPower Renewables’ UK 1.4 GW East Anglia Three (EA3) offshore wind farm site.

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And back in 2011, an unexploded mine from the Second World War was discovered near the FLAGS pipeline.

A guard vessel was also deployed at that time ahead of the item’s safe removal.