Total – the French energy giant – has been fined a record £1.125m for causing one of the largest ever gas leaks in the North Sea.
Its Elgin platform, 150 miles east of Aberdeen, was evacuated in March 2012 after gas began leaking. The leak continued for another seven weeks, before finally being sealed.
There were no injuries caused as a result of the leak. Total admitted the Health and Safety charges at Aberdeen sheriff court.
Elisabeth Proust, Managing Director, Total E&P UK – who was appointed to this post last month – said: “We regret the gas leak from the Elgin platform in 2012 and accept the fine handed down by the court.
“Following the incident, we carried out our own investigation to identify the causes of the incident and what can be done to prevent similar incidents in future.
“We also cooperated fully with the investigations carried out by DECC and the HSE. Furthermore, we have shared the lessons learned from this incident widely across the industry and with the authorities.”
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