Wells safe despite gas leak says oil giant

Operators of a North Sea platform hit by a giant gas leak have confirmed there has been little change but stressed all other wells in the area “were left in a safe condition”.

Total UK managing director Phillipe Guys gave the assurance during an update on progress to tackle the leak which forced the evacuation of all 238 workers when it was discovered on Sunday.

About 200,000 cubic metres of gas have been escaping every day at the Elgin platform, about 150 miles off the coast of Aberdeen, he said, with “little change” over the past five days.

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Proposals to stop the leak include “killing” the well with mud and drilling relief wells which could take as long as six months.

Two drilling rigs have stopped work on other wells in the area.

Mr Guys said: “We are suspending these wells in order to release these drilling rigs to intervene and be able to drill relief wells from the location that we’re going to identify. We have also mobilised a strong team of specialists from the group and international specialists.

“The question has been asked if there could be similar problems with other wells on Elgin. What I can tell you is that when the platform was evacuated, all other wells were left in a safe condition.”

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The gas is coming from a rock formation, and escaping from a leak at the top of the well, about 25 metres above sea level.

UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry said an emergency plan was delivered as intended, adding: “The focus now is first of all on dealing with the flare and actions to be taken on that if it doesn’t in itself burn out.

“Secondly it’s stopping the release of gas condensate and thirdly the situation with regard to the other wells on the platform.”