Fears grow over explosion and eco damage of leaking North Sea gas rig: Scientists warn oil from Elgin platform owned by Total risks poisoning marine life alongside potential methane explosion @ Guardian
Fears are growing that a naked flame on the top of a leaking gas rig could spark a massive explosion and lead to a major pollution incident in the North Sea.
Total, the operator of the Elgin platform 140 miles east of Aberdeen, confirmed that in addition to a growing methane gas “cloud”, a 4.8sq km sheen of oil “condensates” now covered the surface of the water near the platform. But the company played down risks of major marine or air pollution. “The situation is currently stable. We continue to take all possible measures to try to identify the source and cause of the leak and to bring it under control,” the company said in a statement. (…)
Flare still burning at North Sea gas leak Elgin platform @ BBC
A flame is still burning in the stack above a North Sea platform from which gas has been leaking for three days.
Experts expressed concern that escaping gas could connect with the naked flame in the flare stack and explode. (…)
