Health and Safety Executive

This website uses non-intrusive cookies to improve your user experience. You can visit our cookie privacy page for more information.

Social media

Javascript is required to use HSE website social media functionality.

HSE accepts the safety case for Elgin installation

HSE has (today, 6 March) informed Total that we have accepted the safety case for the Elgin installation. This follows an incident on 25 March last year, which resulted in a major leak of gas. The company undertook to demonstrate that it had re-evaluated the risks associated with operating the installation by resubmitting the safety case required by HSE to permit production. It will now be for Total to decide when to restart operations. HSE's investigation into the incident in March 2012 is ongoing.

Notes to editors

  1. For background, every offshore installation is required to have a safety case to operate. HSE assesses the safety cases as the authority with statutory responsibility under the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2005. The information at http://www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/safetycases.htm explains that HSE 'accepts' such safety cases; it does not 'approve' them.
  2. The Elgin installation is operated by Elf Exploration UK Limited (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Total Group (Total)) and is located approximately 240 km east of Aberdeen in a water depth of about 93 metres. http://www.uk.total.com/activities/elgin_franklin.asp

Press enquiries

All enquiries from journalists should be directed to the HSE Press Office

Social media

Javascript is required to use HSE website social media functionality.

Updated 2013-03-06