BP's Clair oil platform shut down after leak
9 hours ago
From the section NE Scotland, Orkney & Shetland
BP has shut down one of its oil platforms, about 75km to the west of Shetland, because of a leak.
Oil was released into the water from the Clair platform on Sunday morning.
The size of the leak is unclear, and efforts are under way to ascertain whether it has caused damage to the environment.
BP said it was caused by a "technical issue" and an investigation into what happened was under way.
No-one was injured. It was not clear how long the platform would remain shut down.
A BP spokesman said: "The Clair platform, which is located 75km (46 miles) west of Shetland, has been shut down and the release has been stopped. All personnel have been accounted for and there are no injuries.
"We are investigating the cause of the technical issue and monitoring the situation. All relevant authorities have been informed."
The UK Government's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has been informed and the industry funded organisation Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) has also been notified.
Lang Banks, director of environmental charity WWF Scotland, said the incident highlighted "the dangers posed on a daily basis" by oil and gas operations off the coast of Scotland.
He added: "In the interests of protecting the marine environment, it's important that we understand just how much oil has leaked.
"The platform should certainly not be allowed to restart operations until a full investigation into this incident is completed."
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BP says oil from North Sea spill to disperse naturally
A BP logo is seen at a petrol station in London, Britain January 15, 2015. REUTERS/Luke MacGregor/File Photo
A technical problem at BP's (BP.L) Clair platform in the North Sea a day earlier resulted in a brief oil spill that will be allowed to disperse naturally into the sea, the British oil major said on Monday.
Production at the platform, located 75 km west of the Shetland Islands, was halted after the incident.
"At present, we believe the most appropriate response is to allow the oil to disperse naturally at sea, but contingencies for other action are being prepared," BP said in a statement.
"The total oil in water volume that was released has yet to be accurately assessed and work to determine this is ongoing."
Britain's Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said it would hold an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, which is standard procedure.
"We are working closely with BP and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to resolve the incident on the Clair platform," a spokesman said.
There have been no reported injuries, the department added.