Independent advances in North Sea

INDEPENDENT Oil & gas has said it is making good progress with plans to bring four fields in the North Sea into production after completing the acquisition of a decommissioned pipeline. London-based Independent agreed to buy the Thames Pipeline in April from Perenco, Tullow and Spirit Energy in April last year, for a nominal sum. Subject to completing inspection work, the company expects to be able to use the line to handle gas produced from the Vulcan and Blythe satellite hubs in the Southern North Sea. Chief executive Andrew Hockey said the acquisition was an important milestone.