Around 1,500 jobs will be supported by the next phase of a major North Sea development by oil and gas firm Statoil.

The jobs are related to connection and commissioning activity which begins in early July and will run until the start of production at the Mariner field in the second half of 2018.

The short-term roles are predominantly in offshore construction and commissioning personnel and cover a variety of disciplines including engineering, electrical, rigging and pipe-fitting.

In the long-term when production starts, the Norwegian firm, which has a base in Aberdeen, says 700 permanent jobs will be supported both onshore and offshore.

The installation of the platform's topside will happen in early July, when modules weighing a total of 38,000 tonnes will be lifted on to its base.

Hedda Felin, managing director Statoil Production (UK), said: "The Mariner development will create wider ripple effects in the supply chain for the next 30 years.

"We are privileged to be able to contribute towards job creation and the longevity of the UKCS (UK Continental Shelf). Mariner demonstrates that this industry has a positive and exciting future ahead."

Mariner is located approximately 95 miles east of the Shetland Isles. It has reserves estimated at more than 250 million barrels of oil with an average plateau production of around 55,000 barrels per day.