A field that is said to have played a key role in the success of the UK North Sea ceased production yesterday after pumping oil for more than 30 years, writes Mark Williamson.

Canada Natural Resources said the Murchison field 330 miles north east of Aberdeen had produced around 400 million barrels oil. Production peaked at 150,383 bod in December 1982. CNR said the production platform on the field was among the largest on the UK Continental Shelf. The platform and its supporting legs weigh more than 50,000 tonnes in total. CNR became operator of Murchison in 2002 and extended the life of the field by 10 years. It expects to complete decomissioning the installation by 2019.