French energy giant Total is battling issues with a new well in the Elgin-Franklin field.
It is understood there was a gas release in a new well which was being drilled off the Elgin B platform.
A spokesman for the French supermajor said that they had encountered “some difficulties” with the operation.
The spokesman said: “Total has encountered difficulties whilst drilling a well on its Central Graben asset.
“The well remains under full control at the surface and the situation is under continuous review.
“Wireline measurements carried out inside the drill string indicate some flow exists within the well which means part of the well may need to be plugged and abandoned.”
Jake Molloy, RMT Regional Organiser, said he had been made aware of a problem on the platform.
He said: “We’ve heard that there is no loss of containment, it is shut in.
“It looks like they’ve got it under control.”
It is understood that no crew have been down-manned as yet.
The Health and Safety Executive has been contacted for comment.
Total started gas and condensate production from the West Franklin Phase 2 project in the Central Graben area in January 2015.
The Elgin B is a secondary well-head connected by a bridge to the Elgin A.
Located approximately 240 km east of Aberdeen, West Franklin was discovered by Total in 2003.
Phase 1 production started in 2007 with two wells drilled from the Franklin platform.
Do you have more information on this incident? Contact alan.shields@ajl.co.uk
More to come as we get it.
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