North Sea oil pipeline shut down after platform leak 16 January 2013 Last updated at 03:54 A leak at a key North Sea oil platform has forced the shutdown of a pipeline system that handles production from more than 20 other fields, and up to 6% of total UK oil production. Hydrocarbons were detected inside a leg of the Cormorant Alpha platform, which is nearly 100 miles off Shetland. Its operator, Taqa Bratani, has removed non-essential workers as a precaution and said the leak had been contained. Shutting down the platform affects the whole Brent pipeline system. The oil leak at Cormorant Alpha was discovered on Monday and non-essential crew were taken off the installation by helicopter. Taqa, also known as Abu Dhabi National Energy, said nothing had leaked into the sea and a technical team was investigating the source. The company has shut down the platform and all pipeline infrastructure. The BBC understands this means the rest of the Brent pipeline system can no longer operate because Cormorant Alpha, which is situated some 94 miles from Lerwick in Shetland, is a crucial pumping station. It is reported that eight other platforms have shut down with up to 27 North Sea fields affected. Oil and Gas UK - the offshore industry body - said oil transported through the Brent pipeline system represented between five and six percent of the UK's North Sea oil production. It is not clear at this stage how the shutdown will affect UK oil supplies.