Total says gas leak has slowed up

FRENCH energy giant Total yesterday claimed the rate of the uncontrolled gas leak at its Elgin installation has been considerably reduced since the platform was abandoned on 25 March.

Following the exodus of the platform, the rogue G4 well was said to be releasing gas at a rate of 200,000 cubic metres of gas per day.

A spokesman for Total said yesterday: “Since these initial estimates have been made, several methods have been used to re-assess regularly the gas flow rate, including additional modelling, infrared temperature measurements of the conductor pipe, visual observations by the teams during their visits on Elgin, and further scientific flights on 3 and 17 April.

“All these methods give converging results which indicate that the gas flow rate has decreased. The latest scientific flights, modelling and platform visits this week confirm a decrease in the gas leak rate, to around one-third of the initial estimate of approximately 200,000 cubic metres of gas per day made in the first days of the Elgin gas leak.”

The spokesman added: “The two technical solutions to stop the gas leak on well G4 of the Elgin platform are progressing according to plan.”