North Sea gas leak was big blow for Total

Published on 28/07/2012 02:03

The recent gas leak on a North Sea oil platform has resulted in operator Total missing out on potential income of around
£83 million, according to its financial results.

The Elgin platform was evacuated of all 238 workers when it started leaking gas in March, as were some sites nearby. At the height of the leak, around 200,000 cubic metres of gas were escaping every day. This began to fall when workers drilled a relief well.

The gas leak was only stopped at the end of May when heavy mud and cement were pumped into the underwater well.

In its financial results for April to June, Total wrote: “The group estimates that the loss of production relating to Elgin represents a negative impact of $130m on the net operating income of the upstream segment in the second quarter of 2012.”

The company still made a profit of £1.25 billion for that quarter.

The platform, about 150 miles (241km) off the coast of Aberdeen, is now fully re-staffed, Total said.