Menu
28/03/2012
Flare On Elgin Platform Is Still Burning
A flare is still burning on the North Sea Elgin oil Platform, which has been leaking gas for the last four days.
Total, the French oil company that operates the platform, first disclosed that the flare was still burning late on Tuesday night. The wind is blowing the gas in the opposite direction but, if it should come into contact with the flare, there is a high risk of explosion.
Health and safety manager for Total UK, David Hainsworth, told the Guardian the company had not revealed that the flare was burning because "we have been trying to feed information that is pertinent as the situation was unfolding, the fact that the flare was burning was not one of the most pertinent parts of information. It [the flare] is not our immediate concern."
News of the flare only came to light on Tuesday night as a result of a direct question on Channel 4 News.
"I was asked a direct question by Channel 4. I can only answer questions," Hainsworth told the Guardian. "[It was] not our number one top priority whether the flare was alight. We've been trying to get useful information to the media to tell [the public]."
Describing the odds of the leaking gas coming into contact with the flare as “low”, he said: "The wind is taking the plume of gas directly away from the flare. We do not believe the concentration of gas in the plume [at a] distance from the flare is flammable even if the wind direction changes."
"The flare may burn itself out. Because it's alight now doesn't mean it will be alight in a hour," Hainsworth added.
The RMT union said it was "beyond comprehension" that the flare was still burning.
(H)
Total, the French oil company that operates the platform, first disclosed that the flare was still burning late on Tuesday night. The wind is blowing the gas in the opposite direction but, if it should come into contact with the flare, there is a high risk of explosion.
Health and safety manager for Total UK, David Hainsworth, told the Guardian the company had not revealed that the flare was burning because "we have been trying to feed information that is pertinent as the situation was unfolding, the fact that the flare was burning was not one of the most pertinent parts of information. It [the flare] is not our immediate concern."
News of the flare only came to light on Tuesday night as a result of a direct question on Channel 4 News.
"I was asked a direct question by Channel 4. I can only answer questions," Hainsworth told the Guardian. "[It was] not our number one top priority whether the flare was alight. We've been trying to get useful information to the media to tell [the public]."
Describing the odds of the leaking gas coming into contact with the flare as “low”, he said: "The wind is taking the plume of gas directly away from the flare. We do not believe the concentration of gas in the plume [at a] distance from the flare is flammable even if the wind direction changes."
"The flare may burn itself out. Because it's alight now doesn't mean it will be alight in a hour," Hainsworth added.
The RMT union said it was "beyond comprehension" that the flare was still burning.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 March 2012
Source Of North Sea Gas Leak Has Been Found
Total, owners of the evacuated Elgin oil platform, have said they think theu have found the source of the gas leak. The French fuel group said they have traced the leak to a gas pocket in a rock formation 4km (2.5 miles) below the seabed but 1km above the gas reservoir being tapped.
Source Of North Sea Gas Leak Has Been Found
Total, owners of the evacuated Elgin oil platform, have said they think theu have found the source of the gas leak. The French fuel group said they have traced the leak to a gas pocket in a rock formation 4km (2.5 miles) below the seabed but 1km above the gas reservoir being tapped.
08 October 2010
Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced
A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York. Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
Illegal Gas Fitter Sentenced
A man who falsely claimed to be a registered gas engineer has been sentenced for illegally installing gas appliances at addresses in York. Bennett Morley of Cherry Paddock, Haxby, York, was prosecuted by The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for five offences under Gas Safety legislation after complaints by householders.
26 August 2014
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
200 Homes Still Without Gas After Water Leak
Around 200 homes in Wales are still without gas after a burst water pipe flooded gas lines last Thursday. Wales and West Utilities have said that some 150,000 litres of water has been pumped from gas pipes since last Thursday, with 540 of the 755 homes affected by the leak, now reconnected.
31 July 2008
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
Centrica Posts £1 Million In Profits - To Consumers Anger
British Gas owner Centrica has posted half-year profits of almost £1 billion - much to the anger of consumer groups. Centrica maintain that it has been "absolutely necessary" to raise household gas prices as profits were down 20% in the first six months of this year to £992 million - down from £1.23 billion in 2007.
08 August 2012
Burnt Car Park Body Was A Woman Aged In Her 40s
The badly burnt body found beneath burning rubbish in a Sainsbury’s car park has been identified as a female. A police dog handler discovered the fire during his routine patrol around 3am on Tuesday morning. The body was discovered after the fire brigade had extinguished the blaze.
Burnt Car Park Body Was A Woman Aged In Her 40s
The badly burnt body found beneath burning rubbish in a Sainsbury’s car park has been identified as a female. A police dog handler discovered the fire during his routine patrol around 3am on Tuesday morning. The body was discovered after the fire brigade had extinguished the blaze.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
