More than 200 workers were evacuated from Total’s North Sea rig after a gas leak, the French energy firm confirmed early this morning.

A “sheen” was reported near to the Elgin field late yesterday. Most of the crew were either taken ashore to Aberdeen or moved to other platforms in the area, according to the French rig operator.

Nineteen crew members who at first remained on board were flown back to Aberdeen leaving the platform unmanned and powered down.

Total said investigations are trying to determine the cause of the ongoing gas leak. A statement said it is “monitoring the situation closely.”