Oil and gas firm EnQuest said late on Monday that it had removed all crew from its Thistle platform after carrying out a preliminary subsea structural inspection.

The installation – 125 miles north-east of Shetland – has been shut down and all 115 staff members transferred to a nearby platform by helicopter, EnQuest said, without elaborating on the nature of the problem.

The coastguard helicopter based at Sumburgh, Shetland, and two other aircraft from Norway assisted in the evacuation.

Operator EnQuest described the move as “precautionary” and said further information would be released as soon as it becomes available.

A spokeswoman for the company said: “EnQuest can confirm it has proactively down-manned the Thistle platform today in a precautionary move following a preliminary subsea structural inspection today.

“All 115 personnel were transferred to a nearby platform by helicopter.

“The platform has been safely shutdown in accordance with planned procedures.

“EnQuest is liaising with all relevant authorities including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.”