Total: Elgin Progressing to Plan

Total has said that it is progressing according to schedule on the Elgin gas leak in the Scottish North Sea, with work planned to begin on a dynamic kill operation within the coming days.

As part of these preparations, Total made an "important advancement in stopping the leak" made on Friday, the company said with the repositioning of  a vital piece of equipment.

This equipment, the West Phoenix semi-submersible drilling rig, was moved into place on Friday, in preparation for the beginning of a dynamic kill operation. This operation, which involves pumping heavy mud into the leak site, was approved by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) on Wednesday evening.

This rig will be used to pump the heavy mud into the leaking G4 wellhead, which the company has previously said is its preferred option for ceasing the leak. 

The company says that work last week on at the platform focused primarily on the building of a temporary pipe system, which will connect to the West Phoenix rig and through which the mud will be pumped.

In tandem with the dynamic kill operation, work continues on the drilling of a relief well. The well, the first of two planned, is currently being drilled by the Sedco 714 rig. No date has yet been given for the drilling of the second well, which will be drilled by the Rowan Gorilla V rig.