North Sea gas leak concerns

The Health and Safety Executive has written to North Sea operators over concerns about continued oil and gas leaks.

HSE said several hydrocarbon releases (HCRS) in recent years had come “perilously close to disaster”.

The correspondence asks operators to carry out a review of safety management systems. They have until 20 July to respond with a summary of their improvement activities.

Chris Flint, director of HSE’S energy division, said: “Every HCR is a safety threat, as it represents a failure in an operator’s management of its risks. I recognise the steps the industry has taken to reduce the overall number of HCRS, however HCRS remain a concern, particularly major HCRS because of their greater potential to lead to fires, explosions and multiple losses of life.

“There have been several such releases in recent years that have come perilously close to disaster.”