Scotland imposes major fine on Total for massive gas leak

摘要

Oil firm Total has received the biggest fine ever imposed by a Scottish court for a health and safety offence. On 22 December, Aberdeen Sheriff Court ordered the firm's British exploration and production arm to pay £1,125,000 following a major gas leak from its Elgin condensate field in the North Sea in 2012. The leak began on 25 March 2012, as workers were trying to plug and decommission a well damaged by the entry of high-pressure gas. The court heard that Total had failed to put in place sufficient control measures, leading to a gas blowout. This risked a deadly explosion and caused the immediate evacuation of most of the rig's staff. Neighbouring platforms were shut down and a shipping and aircraft exclusion zone established.