Elgin Leak: Appears Not to be Impacting Fishery
The Scottish government has said that initial testing of fish samples taken from the Elgin leak site in the UK North Sea has shown no initial signs of tainting in the fish.
Preliminary testing, which comprises sensory testing including tasting of the samples, showed no trace of hydrocarbons in the fish. The sensory testing was undertaken by trained testers at Marine Scotland Science.
"The environmental impact of this gas leak has been minimal so far; however it’s important we take precautions and analyse all available data," Scottish Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said. "Therefore it’s reassuring that sensory testing of the fish samples gathered by the Alba na Mara have found they are untainted by hydrocarbons.
"Full chemical analysis work–including water and sediment samples–is ongoing and will provide further clarification on any impact... We will continue our monitoring activities for the duration of this incident, so we can assess any impact on the marine environment and respond as needed."
The sampling of the fish as well as water and sediment was taken from a two-mile exclusion zone around the Elgin platform site, which is located about 240 kilometres off the coast of Aberdeen. Results from additional chemical testing on the samples are expected to be released by the end of this week.
Today, Managing Director of Total E&P UK Phillippe Guys said that the company expected the leak to be brought under control by the end of April.
Speaking to Scottish daily newspaper The Press and Journal, the MD said, "We are working hard and if all goes as planned we envisage by the end of this month we should have control of the well."
He said the company would not rush operations to get control of the well and said its main focus was the safety of the operation.
A leak from the G4 wellhead has been ongoing since the 25th of March. 238 personnel had to be evacuated from the site at that time. Total has yet to release a definitive work programme for the site but has said it is considering stemming the leak with heavy mud and drilling a relief and a backup relief well to cease the leakage.