Gas Leak Scare On North Sea Platforms

An investigation has been launched after 114 oil workers were airlifted from the Brae Alpha platform, 155 miles North-east of Aberdeen. Around 180 workers were also evacuated from the floating Snorre A platform north-west of Bergen. Both platforms in the UK and Norwegian sectors suffered gas leaks.

Two search and rescue helicopters dropped the first group of workers at the nearby Brae Brava platform by 11pm on Saturday. The second group were transferred to the East Brae platform, which is also operated by Aberdeen-based Marathon Oil, on Sunday afternoon.

Production was shut down on the Brae platform, operated by Marathon Oil, after the alarm was raised.

Marathon Oil supplied clothes and some cash after they landed. Workers were also offered counselling.

A Marathon spokeswoman said an alarm is triggered and an automatic shut down takes place when gas levels rise above a certain level. A further 25 non essential workers were taken off the platform yesterday afternoon. Around 40 staff are still on board.

Helicopters airlifted workers on Monday from the floating Snorre A platform north-west of the Norwegian city of Bergen. A Statoil spokesman said no injuries had been reported and 36 workers remained on board to fix the leak.

Added to site on 30/11/04

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