Repair work on the pipeline system that carries 40% of North Sea oil and gas is nearing completion.

A hairline crack was found during a routine inspection of the Forties Pipeline System south of Aberdeen in early December, leading to the shutdown and a safety cordon being erected around the area.

Operators Ineos said good progress is being made with the pipeline at Red Moss, which is now mechanically complete with pressure testing under way.

The Kinneil facility has been partially restarted and flow will be increased gradually as the system improves.

There is currently increased flaring at the site as Ineos begins to bring the different streams online.

Based on current estimates, the company expects to bring the pipeline and Kinneil progressively back to normal rates early in the new year.

Ineos said safety is its highest priority and has worked with emergency services and regulators to implement the code compliant repairs on the FPS pipeline.

The precautionary safety cordon will remain at 150m while pressure testing continues and the unclassified CK12 Netherley to Cookney road, which passes close to the site, remains closed.

Drivers on non-essential journeys have been asked to use alternative routes.

The company only recently bought the pipeline, which takes mainly oil to the company's refinery at Grangemouth.