ABERDEEN, Scotland, April 27 (UPI) -- Significant steps have been taken to stop the natural gas leak at the Elgin platform off the coast of Scotland, French energy company Total said.
Total in March discovered a natural gas leak at its Elgin platform about 150 miles off the coast of Aberdeen. Natural gas is leaking from above the water's surface at a rate of around 2.1 million cubic feet per day.
Total announced that it installed a "diverter" that will redirect leaking natural gas away from a wellhead to ensure safety during the well intervention operation.
The British government announced it gave consent to Total to drill a relief well to control the leak.
Engineers made only two trips to the platform this week because of inclement weather. They were able to set equipment for a well intervention along with installing the diverter during those visits, Total said.
Scottish authorities conducted chemical and sediment testing from sites 2 miles from the Elgin platform and said they found no direct marine contamination from the natural gas leak, the company said. No natural gas is leaking directly into the water.
