North Sea flare goes out

The flare on Total’s gas platform in the North Sea has gone out naturally, the French energy firm has confirmed. The Elgin Franklin platform was evacuated last week because of […]

The flare on Total’s gas platform in the North Sea has gone out naturally, the French energy firm has confirmed. The Elgin Franklin platform was evacuated last week because of a gas leak in the field.

The news should relieve safety fears, as some had worried gas from the leak could have been blown toward the flame.

Energy Minister Charles Hendry said on Friday: “This comes as very welcome news and a considerable relief. Although the platform was designed to use the prevailing wind to keep the flare from the escaping gas, the fact the flare is out removes a major risk from the equation.

“The task now is very clear – every effort must be made to locate and stop the gas leak.

“The Government continues to monitor the situation very closely to ensure this incident can be resolved as quickly and with as little risk to human life and the environment as possible.”

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