The Rough platform in the Southern North Sea controls Centrica’s gas storage facility that in turn controls 10% of the UKs gas supply.

The platform has been shutdown after a 13ton fender came loose threatening the pipeline and gas infrastructure if it falls to sea.

A spokesman for Centrica said: “Centrica Storage Limited can confirm that production on its Rough 47/3B platform has been temporarily halted due to integrity concerns with respect to one of its platform anti collision fenders.

“CSL is continuing to assess and pursue appropriate remedial actions it can take to make the anti collision fender safe and now estimates that 47/3B will return to service between 5 May and 7 May.”

Centrica advised that 41 people were down manned as a precaution with 58 people left on the platform. Centrica wouldn’t confirm any more details but Oil and Gas People has been informed that the pipeline has also been depressurised and shutdown.

The issue came to light when Oil and Gas People was contacted by a source offshore disgruntled at not being paid while being down manned. Centrica has denied this saying it is standard procedure that crew are paid in this situation.

The Rough gas field lies 20 miles to the East Yorkshire Coast. It was discovered in 1968, and since 1985 has been the UK’s most important gas storage facility.

Two platforms control the flow of gas in and out of the field which is two miles below the sea bed. The platforms stand apart in 90 feet of water.

Each platform is a labyrinth of pumps, pipes and compressors. About 100 people normally work on the facility, keeping it operational around the clock.

Thirty wells allow vast quantities of gas to be pumped out on cold days when demand is high, with gas pumped in the wells during milder days when demand is low.

The gas is stored under pressures of up to 230bar. That forces it to the surface when needed. At current prices, the field holds £1.5b of gas.

The gas undergoes several separation processes on the platform before being funnelled into this single 36-inch pipeline. The gas then travels through this pipeline on its journey back to shore.

The subsea pipeline comes on shore at the Easington Gas Terminal, 20 miles from Hull. The maximum flow rate through the pipe is 54 million cubic metres per day, enough to provide 10% of the UK’s gas needs.

Separate pipelines from Norway and from BP’s North Sea operations also come ashore at Easington. On cold days up to 30% of the gas used in the UK passes through Easington.

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