This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-37540766
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Leaked BP platform oil 'moving away from land' | Leaked BP platform oil 'moving away from land' |
(35 minutes later) | |
An oil spill from a platform off Shetland is heading away from land, BP has said. | An oil spill from a platform off Shetland is heading away from land, BP has said. |
The energy giant said oil had been observed on the sea surface, and seemed to be moving north. | The energy giant said oil had been observed on the sea surface, and seemed to be moving north. |
The oil was released into the water from the Clair platform on Sunday. | The oil was released into the water from the Clair platform on Sunday. |
BP said: "At present, we believe the most appropriate response is to allow the oil to disperse naturally at sea, but contingencies for other action are being prepared." | BP said: "At present, we believe the most appropriate response is to allow the oil to disperse naturally at sea, but contingencies for other action are being prepared." |
The company has not released any details about the size of the leak yet. | The company has not released any details about the size of the leak yet. |
The Clair platform is 75km (46 miles) west of Shetland. | The Clair platform is 75km (46 miles) west of Shetland. |
'Await findings' | 'Await findings' |
It was shut down after the leak. | It was shut down after the leak. |
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: "I am closely monitoring the situation, which I understand to be the result of the rig discharging 'produced water' containing a much larger than usual amount of oil. | |
"The oil residue is moving away from the shore and, as such, there is a low risk to bird species at this time of year. The nearby Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt Marine Protected Area is home to deep-water sponges 400-600m below the sea surface. | |
"Marine Scotland have advised that allowing the oil to weather naturally is the least harmful option for this internationally important marine habitat." | |
Mick Borwell, the health, safety and environment policy director at industry body Oil and Gas UK, said: "We will await the findings of the investigation and will see if there are any findings that can be shared with industry. | Mick Borwell, the health, safety and environment policy director at industry body Oil and Gas UK, said: "We will await the findings of the investigation and will see if there are any findings that can be shared with industry. |
"However the UK oil and gas industry does it utmost to prevent accidental releases by investing heavily in a wide range of physical barriers as well as developing training and procedures that influence human behaviours. | "However the UK oil and gas industry does it utmost to prevent accidental releases by investing heavily in a wide range of physical barriers as well as developing training and procedures that influence human behaviours. |
"Every operator has emergency response plans in place and use a wide range of response techniques to monitor, contain and recover accidental releases. | "Every operator has emergency response plans in place and use a wide range of response techniques to monitor, contain and recover accidental releases. |
"Industry takes its responsibilities towards safety and the environment extremely seriously in all its operations." | "Industry takes its responsibilities towards safety and the environment extremely seriously in all its operations." |