Massive gas leak on oil platform to be fixed by mid-September

 
A photo taken on April 2, 2012 shows French energy giant Total's Elgin rig, 150 miles (240 kms) from Aberdeen in eastern Scotland, in the North Sea. Total plans to send a helicopter to inspect the platform in the next few days to ensure it is safe before beginning work to cap a well that has leaked explosive gas for more than a week, two industry sources close to the matter said on April 2. The French firm evacuated the Elgin rig off the Scottish coast on March 25 because of a gas leak which the company says is costing it 2.5 million USD (1.87 million euros) a day.
Getty
3 August 2012

Work to permanently secure a well at a North Sea oil platform after a massive gas leak is expected to be completed by mid-September, according to its operators.

The Elgin platform, around 150 miles from Aberdeen, was evacuated of all 238 workers when it started leaking gas in March, as were some sites nearby.

The leak was only stopped on May 15 with a well-intervention operation which pumped heavy mud and cement into the underwater well.

Operator Total said the well has remained "stable" and "significant" progress has been made towards a permanent solution.

It said in a statement: "Total and its contractors have now restarted the essential safety and support systems on board the Elgin complex and the adjacent Rowan Viking drilling rig.

"The key stage of putting cement plugs in place to permanently secure the well is ongoing and expected to be completed by mid-September.

"The overall environmental impact of the incident has been minimal as the majority of the condensate (gas) released evaporated, while the rest falling to sea and adding to the surface sheen also evaporated or dispersed completely within days."

Total also said it continues to work with all appropriate bodies to assess and monitor any impact on the environment, and with the investigators looking into the cause of the leak.

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