30/03/2012
Source Of North Sea Gas Leak Has Been Found
Total, owners of the evacuated Elgin oil platform, have said they think theu have found the source of the gas leak.
The French fuel group said they have traced the leak to a gas pocket in a rock formation 4km (2.5 miles) below the seabed but 1km above the gas reservoir being tapped.
After reports that a flare had been left burning on the platform and that the only thing preventing an explosion was the wind blowing the leaking gas away from the flame, the company said they now have two fire-fighting ships on standby at the edge of the two nautical mile (2.3 mile) exclusion zone.
In a statement on Thursday evening, the company said the flare was burning off evaporating liquids still in the platform's system. "As these liquids evaporate the flow of hydrocarbons to the flare will exhaust itself and the flare should burn out," it said.
Admitting there was still a risk of explosion, Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Total's head of communication added that the firm's first priority had been to evacuate the 238 workers on the platform. He added: "Now, our priority has to be stopping the leak in order to avoid all risk of explosion and also to limit the impact on the environment."
The French fuel group said they have traced the leak to a gas pocket in a rock formation 4km (2.5 miles) below the seabed but 1km above the gas reservoir being tapped.
After reports that a flare had been left burning on the platform and that the only thing preventing an explosion was the wind blowing the leaking gas away from the flame, the company said they now have two fire-fighting ships on standby at the edge of the two nautical mile (2.3 mile) exclusion zone.
In a statement on Thursday evening, the company said the flare was burning off evaporating liquids still in the platform's system. "As these liquids evaporate the flow of hydrocarbons to the flare will exhaust itself and the flare should burn out," it said.
Admitting there was still a risk of explosion, Jacques-Emmanuel Saulnier, Total's head of communication added that the firm's first priority had been to evacuate the 238 workers on the platform. He added: "Now, our priority has to be stopping the leak in order to avoid all risk of explosion and also to limit the impact on the environment."
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 May 2012
Plugging Operation Begins On North Sea Gas Leak
Almost 8 weeks since it was first discovered oil company Total will today start pumping heavy mud down its leaking well in the North Sea in an attempt to stop the ongoing gas leak.
Plugging Operation Begins On North Sea Gas Leak
Almost 8 weeks since it was first discovered oil company Total will today start pumping heavy mud down its leaking well in the North Sea in an attempt to stop the ongoing gas leak.
26 August 2014
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
31 July 2008
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
28 March 2012
Flare On Elgin Platform Is Still Burning
A flare is still burning on the North Sea Elgin oil Platform, which has been leaking gas for the last four days. Total, the French oil company that operates the platform, first disclosed that the flare was still burning late on Tuesday night.
Flare On Elgin Platform Is Still Burning
A flare is still burning on the North Sea Elgin oil Platform, which has been leaking gas for the last four days. Total, the French oil company that operates the platform, first disclosed that the flare was still burning late on Tuesday night.
18 November 2014
Man And Daughter Survive Suspected Gas Explosion
A 36-year-old man and his 4-year-old daughter have survived a suspected gas explosion at their home in Southampton. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the end-of-terrace house in Howards Grove, in the Shirley area, was destroyed in an explosion at about 01:30 on Tuesday morning.
Man And Daughter Survive Suspected Gas Explosion
A 36-year-old man and his 4-year-old daughter have survived a suspected gas explosion at their home in Southampton. Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said the end-of-terrace house in Howards Grove, in the Shirley area, was destroyed in an explosion at about 01:30 on Tuesday morning.