A US company which helped tackle the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has been called in to help avert disaster at the Elgin platform.
Houston-based Wild Well Control was involved in BP’s huge operation after the Deepwater Horizon explosion which killed 11 men in 2010.
The firm’s firefighters and engineers have now been hired by Total to help plug its leak.
Meanwhile, BP has accused the US government of holding back evidence which could show the Gulf of Mexico oil spill was smaller than federal officials claimed.
A reduction in the size of the spill, which has been estimated to be nearly five million barrels, would lower the maximum fine the operator could be forced to pay. It is currently believed to be facing an £11billion charge if it loses an upcoming court case.