Team makes third visit to gas-leak rig

AN 11-strong team of well control experts have completed the third reconnaissance mission to the stricken Elgin platform since a gas leak forced the installation to be abandoned on 25 March.

The team, made up of specialists from Houston-based Wild Well Control, French oil giant Total and oil service company Aker, yesterday flew to the platform, 150 miles east of Aberdeen, to continue preparations for the proposed “dynamic” well kill operation to stem the gas leak.

The operation to pump heavy mud into the rogue G4 well is one of two options being pursued by Total. The second is to drill two relief wells to reach the rock formation from which the gas is leaking.

A spokeswoman for Total said: “It is part of our ongoing clean-up process before we get to the heart of the matter.”

She said that further visits to the Elgin processing, utilities and quarters (PUQ) facility were planned before a final decision is made about the way ahead. No decision has been made for a starting date for the proposed well kill operation.

Earlier this week the Scottish Government announced that sensory taste tests on fish samples recovered at the edge of the exclusion zone had found no evidence of taint by hydrocarbons.