Maersk Oil is to use a shutdown period at its Janice facility to provide oil training for its workforce.

Earlier this year oil production re-commenced at the North Sea site after an extended period of repair work and upgrading.

Since then Maersk Oil has been monitoring the facility and preparing for the tie-in of the Affleck Field.

It says further improvements on Janice are required so production will cease while these are carried out.

Kurt Normann Nielsen, managing director of Maersk Oil North Sea UK, explains: "During the production shutdown, Maersk Oil's priority will be to improve Janice operating procedures, crew competencies and training, as well as completing further facility improvements and outstanding maintenance work."

The shutdown is expected to last between two and six months.

Last month Maersk Oil Gulf of Mexico Three signed a collaborative exploration agreement for a multi-well package with Chevron USA in the US Gulf of Mexico.

Over the coming years a number of exploration wells are to be drilled, with the first four due to commence within six months.

Global Education and Training event for Oil and Gas: Refining & Petrochemicals