North Sea gas release: £1.125 million fine
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service v Total E&P UK Ltd (2015) Aberdeen Sheriff Court, December 22.
Total E&P UK Ltd, an oil and gas company, has been fined following the largest ever North Sea gas release.
Significant points of the case
In March 2012 workers at the Elgin Offshore platform attempted a “well-kill”. A sudden an uncontrolled release of gas and condensate occurred. This created a real risk of fire or explosion. All 238 personnel on the rig were evacuated.
Neighbouring platforms were closed down. A two-mile shipping and aircraft exclusion zone was imposed around the platform. The well was brought under control over 51 days. More than 6000 tons of gas and condensate were released.
The company had experienced problems of high pressure leaking into the affected well. It suffered a series of casing failures. The company then started a well-kill operation. It failed to identify and implement sufficient control measures and control of the well was progressively lost until it failed.
The company was fined £1.125 million for a breach of regulation 13, Offshore Installations and Wells (Design and Construction, etc) Regulations 1996