Production ceased on installation

Maersk said the Janice shutdown could last up to six months

Production has ceased on a North Sea installation, BBC Scotland has learned.

The operators, Maersk, said it has closed the Janice A facility for between two and six months to allow improvements to be carried out.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said a prohibition notice for the installation had been served on Maersk.

The order prevents the production and processing of petroleum. It comes after issues were identified after an earlier hydrocarbon release.

An HSE spokesman said: "This formalises the decision by the operator taken this week to close down production on the installation."

The managing director of Maersk Oil North Sea UK, Kurt Normann Nielsen, said: "During the production shutdown, Maersk Oil's priority will be to improve Janice operating procedures, crew competencies and training, as well as completing further facility improvements and outstanding maintenance work."

In August last year, BBC Scotland revealed almost 40 workers had to be evacuated from the installation, which had already experienced both an oil leak and a gas leak.

A total of 37 non-essential staff were taken off after a fault was discovered in safety equipment.