Total evacuates Elgin platform in North Sea after gas leak detected

Total E&P has evacuated all 238 personnel from its Elgin PUQ offshore platform in the central Graben area after a subsea gas leak was detected.

All personnel were accounted fro and no injuries have been reported as a result of the incident but Total E&P have evacuated the platform for safety reasons. The platform is now powered down and unmanned.

Jake Molloy, regional organiser of the RMT union, said, "It appears, from what I have been told thus far, that the stand-by vessel which circles the installation had actually seen gas on the surface of the sea.

"Apparently the sea was seen to be 'boiling' with gas below the rig, which suggests a sub-sea problem, rather than a problem on the installation."

Total E&P, which operates the platform, has also described the incident as a well-control problem and has said "Investigations are continuing to determine the cause of the ongoing gas leak and TEP UK is monitoring the situation closely.

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