Offshore staff
PARIS –Total (NYSE:TOT PARIS:FP FP) says preparations continue for a well intervention operation to bring under control the leaking G4 gas well at the Elgin complex in the UK central North Sea.
Areconnaissance team from Total experts and specialist contractors visited the site last week, and found no presence of gas on the Elgin Process, Utilities, Quarters (PUQ) platform. The facility is connected by a 90-m (295-ft) bridge link to the Elgin Well Head Platform (WHP), where the leak was identified.
Access routes to the WHP were also free of gas, and the team was able to access the drilling rig. The structural condition of the platform, the G4 wellhead and surrounding areas, including the rig, was unchanged since the complex was evacuated on March 25, as was the overall safety situation.
Visual inspection confirmed that the leak is coming from the G4 wellhead at WHP deck level. A parallel ROV survey confirmed no underwater gas leak.
The team identified piping and hose routing options and tie-in points for well control equipment. There will be a further mission to the platform shortly to complete the survey and develop detailed plans.
At the same time, preparations continue for drilling of a relief well and a backup relief well.
4/10/2012
