Investigation Into North Sea Gas Leak Launched

An investigation has been launched after a gas leak near a floating production vessel in the North Sea.

Shell UK said the leak was detected several hundred metres away from floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) Curlew at around 11pm on Monday.

The company initially planned to evacuate the 91 people on board but later decided that was not necessary.

Curlew is connected to the Fulmar Gas Line but was isolated from the subsea infrastructure as part of routine maintenance at the time of the incident.

Other producers have stopped using the line as a precaution while the investigation is carried out.

A Shell spokeswoman said: "Shell UK can confirm that a release of gas occurred from infrastructure in the vicinity of Shell's Curlew floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) located approximately 130 miles south east of Aberdeen late on Monday, January 19, 2015. A release of gas was detected several hundred metres away from the FPSO at approximately 2300hrs."

"Initial indications were that the escape had occurred from the subsea infrastructure close to the FPSO, which is connected to the Fulmar Gas Line exporting gas to the St Fergus terminal."

"Specialist divers from the Bibby Polaris - dive support vessel (DSV) are currently on site to close two valves which will isolate the Curlew FPSO from the Fulmar pipeline. In addition another detailed investigation of the isolated infrastructure, adjacent to Curlew, will be undertaken by the Normand Subsea with a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)."

"Once our initial investigation is complete into the cause of the gas escape, and we believe it is safe to do so, we will recommence gas export from the various producers connected to the Fulmar Gas Line to the St Fergus Gas Plant.''

The company said all personnel are safe and accounted for and the relevant authorities have been informed.

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "It's good to hear that all personnel are safe. However, this incident again highlights the dangers posed daily by oil and gas operations in the North Sea."

"Given the big challenges facing the oil and gas industry right now, it's more important than ever that they do not take their eye off the ball when it comes to protecting people or the environment.''