Serica Energy, an oil and gas exploration and production company, has submitted the development program for the Columbus field in the UK Central North Sea to the UK government. In December 2006 Serica announced the discovery of the Columbus gas-condensate field with well 23/16f-11.

BP shutting down major British oil pipeline ahead of strike LONDON, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Energy giant British Petroleum (BP) is shutting down a pipeline carrying nearly half of Britain's oil late Saturday ahead of a 48-hour strike over pension issues.

British oil refinery strike pushes high oil price LONDON, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Oil prices have hit a fresh high just below 120 U.S. dollars a barrel after a strike at a British refinery disrupted production from the North Sea. Light crude on the U.S. market hit a high of 119.93 U.S.

BP has completely shut down its Forties pipeline due to a two-day strike by workers at the Grangemouth oil refinery. This has sparked off some panic fuel buying. According to Reuters, the Forties pipeline supplies 40% of UK's oil and gas.

By David Jolly Workers walked off the job Sunday at the only oil refinery in Scotland, requiring BP to close a pipeline that supplies about one- third of Britain's petroleum needs.