View of the production, utilities and quarters (PUQ) and wellhead platforms on Elgin in the U.K. Picture: Total

TOTAL E&P UK confirms that the gas leak at the Elgin Well Head Platform remains ongoing, although 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 well control problem started at 12.15hrs on 25 March on the Elgin Well Head Platform and Rowan Viking Drilling Rig, the operator Total E&P UK , with assistance from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, has completed the evacuation of all crew. All personnel are reported safe with no injuries.

Aerial surveillance, mobilised by Total and conducted at 08.45hrs yesterday found a light sheen with a dimension of 6 x 0.75 nautical miles. The estimated quantity of hydrocarbon associated with the sheen is between two and 23.5 tonnes.

Total have established their Emergency Response Centre (ERC) and have activated their Oil Pollution Emergency Plan."Total is doing everything in its power to resolve this situation and to minimise the impact of this incident."

The Elgin field is a high-pressure, high-temperature installation producing both gas and "condensate" - a light hydrocarbon liquid-from-gas, more akin to petrol than to crude oil, which the Elgin field does not produce.

Elgin/Franklin came onstream in 2001 and has a design life of more than 20 years. It is one of the largest HP/HT installations in the world. The installation consists of the Elgin Process, Utilities and Quarters (PUQ) platform and the Elgin and Franklin Wellhead Platforms (WHP). The Elgin PUQ and WHP are joined by a link bridge, while the unmanned Franklin WHP is located 5.3km to the south of Elgin.

The PUQ was designed to process 15.5 Mm3/d to National Grid and Interconnector delivery specifications. Gas is delivered through the SEAL pipeline system to either the National Grid at Bacton or can be delivered to Continental Europe through the SILK line and the Interconnector. The liquids processing capacity is 175,000 bbl/d, which is exported via the Graben Area Export Line (GAEL) to the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) for lifting at Kinneil.

Elgin/Franklin in Figures * Located 240 kilometers offshore, east of Aberdeen, in a water depth of 93 meters. * Production from 15 wells - five on Elgin, nine on Franklin and one on Glenelg - is treated offshore, for a total of 15.5 million cubic meters of gas and 104,000 barrels of condensate per day. * The processing platform weighs 41,000 metric tons and its main deck has an area of 5,500 square meters.

Tags: Total