No immediate danger from platform flare, says Total

The operator of a North Sea platform which is leaking gas has said there is no immediate danger of ignition.

Oil company Total said the escaped gas is at a lower height than a flare which is still alight on the installation.

Earlier, it revealed it could take six months to drill a relief well to stop the gas leak on its Elgin platform in the North Sea.

The company is looking at several options to stem the flow of gas following Sunday's incident.

Jake Molloy, of the RMT union, said the potential remained for "catastrophic devastation".

Exclusion zones have been put in place around the platform. Shell also announced a shutdown of a platform.

The Scottish government said ministers were being kept "fully informed of developments".

A cloud of gas was reported to be surrounding the platform, which is located 150 miles (240km) off Aberdeen.

Coastguards said shipping was being ordered to keep at least two miles away and there was a three-mile exclusion zone for aircraft.

Shell has moved 120 non-essential staff from the Shearwater platform and Hans Deul drilling rig, about four miles from the Elgin, because of the drifting gas.

The oil giant said the move was a "precautionary measure".