Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK – Total has issued another update on the continuing gas leak at the Elgin field wellhead platform in the UK central North Sea.
Following first news of the incident on Sunday, the company says it immediately launched internal emergency procedures and crisis management teams have been mobilized in Aberdeen and Paris.
Production on the Elgin, Franklin and West Franklin fields has been halted, and the company says it is taking all necessary measures to minimize the situation’s impact.
Investigations continue into the causes and to determine remediation measures. Standby vessels are in the area.
The sheen identified on the water in the vicinity of the platform is connected to drilling muds and/or light condensate associated with the gas – Total estimates a volume at present of around 30 cu m (1,059 cu ft).
However, its preliminary assessments indicate no significant impact to the environment and dispersants are not currently considered necessary. Oil Spill Response Ltd. (OSRL) is evaluating the situation.
3/27/2012
