FRENCH oil company Total could be granted permission as early as today to plug the leaking well in its North Sea Elgin gas field, after a dangerous flare blazing above the platform went out of its own accord.
Total wants to block up the well, which has been leaking flammable gas, but first must pass a risk assessment by the UK Health and Safety Executive.
Sources at the company last night said that authorisation was expected early this week. A spokesman for the HSE declined to comment, saying the process was "ongoing". The flare that had been burning only 100m from where the gas is leaking was finally extinguished without intervention on Saturday, reducing the threat of explosion.
Attention has now turned to staunching the flow of methane.
Total is said to be preparing for a two-step process, first injecting mud to "kill" the well by stopping the gas flow. However, this is potentially dangerous because workers must return to the stricken platform.
The second stage involves digging two relief wells, which could take six months and cost up to £1.9 million.
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