Maersk Oil staff have been informed at a town hall meeting in Aberdeen that the company intends to approach the Oil and Gas Authority to seek approval to cease production from its Janice installation in later part of 2016. 

The company said the actions were being taken as a result of “ongoing challenges in the market and Maersk Oil’s cost transformation process”.

A Spokesman for Maersk Oil Said: “All options will be explored through consultation to minimise impact on positions, but it is possible that an estimated 200 onshore and offshore roles may be affected as a result of the proposals outlined today.

“This is a very unsettling period for colleagues. The business will offer as much support throughout the process as possible and remain focused on maintaining safe and reliable operations.”

Maersk Oil has had a presence in the North Sea since 2005 and operates the Global Producer 3 FPSO, the Gryphon FPSO,  and the Janice FPU, which handles hydrocarbons from the Affleck, Janice and James fields.

The company has said it will outline what happens to the fields in the proposals that will be submitted to the OGA

Maersk Oil's ultra high pressure/high temperature Culzean project in the UK Central North Sea continues to progress to schedule.