"Total says wind is blowing gas away from flare on Elgin platform – but there is a high risk of explosion if two come into contact."
"A flare is still burning on the North Sea platform that has been leaking gas for the last four days.
Total, the French oil company that operates the platform, first disclosed that the flare was still burning late on Tuesday night. The wind is blowing the gas in the opposite direction but, if it should come into contact with the flare, there is a high risk of explosion.
David Hainsworth, health and safety manager for Total UK, told the Guardian that Total had not informed the media earlier the flare was still burning because 'we have been trying to feed information that is pertinent as the situation was unfolding, the fact that the flare was burning was not one of the most pertinent parts of information. It [the flare] is not our immediate concern.'"
Rupert Neate reports for the Guardian March 28, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"Total: "May Be Months To Stop North Sea Gas Cloud" (Reuters)
"Exclusion Zone Around North Sea Platform After Gas Leak" (AFP)
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