Norwegian major stops Kårstø gas leak

Norwegian major Statoil has confirmed that it has stopped a gas leakage at its Kårstø processing plant north of Stavanger. The leak first occurred on January 7 on the Statpipe section leading into the plant. Statoil halted both of Statpipe's production trains as a result. The company also evacuated its personnel after discovery of the leak.

In an update published in its website, Statoil said that so far, no cause had been identified for the gas leak and that the incident would be investigated further. 

Emergency services had previously been involved with the situation but have now been demobilised as the situation returns to normal, Statoil also said. 

While normalisation and start-up of the plant was in process, Statoil says that a smaller leak occurred, something which is not usual during run-up of plant sections. That leak too has been stopped. No emergency service assistance was required for that leak. 

There were no reported injuries as a result of either gas leakage. 

The Kårstø processing plant has been in operation since June of 1985. It processes gas received from both the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea.