Offshore oil and gas leaks up by almost a quarter

The number of oil and gas leaks in the North Sea increased by almost a quarter last year, a report has said.

Figures from industry body Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) showed hydrocarbon releases - mainly gas - rose from 101 in 2018 to 125.

However, the number of releases classed as major actually fell from six to three.

It comes after the sector was warned about the number of releases by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

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The safety body had said in 2018 that some releases had come "perilously close to disaster".

Last year, the largest gas release was reported to be on Perenco's Lancelot platform in the southern North Sea which amounted to 26,500kg (58,422lbs).

'Key goal'

OGUK's health, safety and environment director Trevor Stapleton said the industry had to take any hydrocarbon release "very seriously".

He said: "The UK offshore oil and gas industry's work to improve safety performance is delivering in many areas - but we must continue our relentless focus on safe operations in every aspect.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on oil and gas operations in the North Sea.

"However, this virus should not, and will not, distract industry from focusing on its key goal of maintaining safe operations while continuing to provide the energy society needs - however challenging that might be."

Oil and Gas UK added that, in terms of aviation safety, last year saw a third consecutive year of accident-free flying in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).