Massive gas leak off Scotland

[Claes Gefvenberg]

Deepwater Horizon Déjà vu?

All production on Elgin, Franklin and West Franklin gasfields off Aberdeen has been closed down and all hands have been evacuated from the platforms due to a massive gas leak that started 25 march. Thus far it is not known where the leak is, and a four mile exclusion zone has been set up.

 

[Marc]

I read about that. As I understand it their main "selling" point is that it's gas rather than oil, and as such is supposed to be "less destructive".

 

[Claes Gefvenberg]

I read about that. As I understand it their main "selling" point is that it's gas rather than oil, and as such is supposed to be "less destructive".

Yes. Unless the big as cloud above the platform ignites... That would be pretty destructive. I hope it does not happen, but the risk is very real.

/Claes

 

[Marc]

There is also the aspect of releasing the gas into the air. It certainly doesn't help. Who knows how many cubic feet of gas is being released every day. Between oil leaks, gas leaks, pollution from "fracking" to - Well, man is doing a very good job polluting the earth. And it will only get worse as the bioburden continues to increase exponentially.

 

[Randy]

One big FAB if the LEL is reached and ignition source becomes present

FAB= Thermobaric_weapon

 

[Claes Gefvenberg]

One big FAB if the LEL is reached and ignition source becomes present

Exactly, Randy, and apparently an ignition source is present: The flare in the stack above the platform is still burning. Fortunately the gas cloud is unlikely to reach the height of the flare, which was left burning when the platform was evacuated on Sunday.

Should it ignite, though, it would be the mother of all FAB's.

/Claes

 

[sagai]

That's interesting, haven't heard about, but could be my ignorance

 

[Claes Gefvenberg]

It is all over the news here. Here is an example. Not an easy problem to deal with, apparently.

/Claes

 

[Peter Fraser]

And the local press is also talking of the risk of a Bermuda Triangle effect, with the "gassy water" being less dense than ships, so getting back on to the platform by sea may be a challenge.

 

[Bonhomme]

Total, again ... I hope this will end well, and that they'll finally be fined enough for all the harm they're making years after years while making big $$ at the same time ...