Unexploded Bomb Found Near Gas Pipeline In The North Sea, Probe On

Shell, a multinational oil and gas company, has found a suspected unexploded bomb near the Far North liquids and Associated Gas System (FLAGS) pipeline in the North Sea.

The object was found during a routine inspection of the 40-year-old pipeline, located about 40 miles east of Shetland.

The FLAGS pipeline, which has been in operation since 1982, is a 36-inch gas line that stretches about 200 nautical miles across the North Sea.

It transports wet gas from the Brent Field to the St Fergus Gas Terminal in Scotland. In 2007, it was connected to the Tampen gas pipeline that links Norway’s Statfjord development to the UK. Shell and ExxonMobil jointly own the pipeline.

The discovery of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in UK waters is common, as up to 500,000 pieces of unexploded munitions from World War I and World War II are believed to lie on the sea floor.

Shell confirmed that the object near the pipeline was found during a routine inspection in December 2024. The company is working with a third-party advisor to investigate the object and fully identify it.

Shell also said that the pipeline continues to operate normally. A guard vessel has been stationed near the location of the suspected bomb. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been informed about the discovery and they continue to monitor the situation.

The suspected bomb was found about 80km (50 miles) east of Shetland. Shell clarified that the object is not believed to be recent or linked to sabotage.

The company is cooperating with the authorities to investigate how the object came to be next to an active subsea pipeline.

This is not the first time unexploded ordnance has been found near the FLAGS pipeline. In 2011, a similar device was found, and a guard vessel was also stationed at the site to ensure safety.

Unexploded ordnance in UK waters poses a major threat to both navigation and infrastructure.

Last month, a Scottish fishing vessel brought up an unexploded antisubmarine mortar near Edinburgh. The mortar, which contained around 80 pounds of explosives, was safely removed by an HM Coastguard bomb squad and detonated offshore.

Shell has assured the public that it is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the safe operation of the pipeline and investigate the unexploded device.

References: BBC, The National

Source: Maritime Shipping News