A North Sea oil spill 112 miles from the Scottish coast is the biggest leak in a decade.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change said on Monday that “hundreds of tonnes” of oil has leaked out from a flow line at Shell’s Gannet Alpha platform.
The firm has been heavily criticised for not divulging details of the leak until the company had closed the subsea well. Despite this the firm is still trying work to prevent further leaks.
A DECC spokesman said: “Although small in comparison to the Macondo, Gulf of Mexico, incident, in the context of the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS) the spill is substantial but it is not anticipated that oil will reach the shore and indeed it is expected that it will be dispersed naturally.
“The UK Continental Shelf oil spill record is strong, which is why it is disappointing that this spill has happened. We take any spill very seriously and we will be investigating the causes of the spill and learning any lessons from the response to it.”
However, if the DECC’s estimates are correct then the spill is greater than the combined total of leaks in the North Sea since 2001.
The spokesman added: “Current estimates are that the spill could be several hundred tonnes. However, it is always very difficult and takes time to get an accurate assessment of the size of a spill and this is subject to ongoing revision.
“So these estimates are subject to continuing analysis and change. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are making twice-daily flights to monitor the situation.”
Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: “Shell have managed a second press statement six days into this substantial oil spill they have even managed to put some figures in this one.
“However, you are still left with the impression that they would rather not be saying anything at all in public. Their message concentrates on the single tonne of oil that has ended up on the surface but says nothing about the fate of the other 210 tonnes that they admit has leaked.
“It’s time they came clean and released their video footage which will reveal the extent of oil contamination on the seabed.”
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The oil field is operated by Shell and is co-owned by the company and Esso.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, called for assurances from Shell that the spill has completely stopped as it threatens thousands of sea birds.
He said: “We know oil of any amount, if in the wrong place, at the wrong time, can have a devastating impact on marine life. Currently thousands of young auks razorbills, puffins and guillemots are flightless and dispersing widely in the North Sea during late summer. So they could be at serious risk if contaminated by this spill.”
Shadow Scottish secretary Ann McKechin said: “There is clearly a distinct lack of information flowing from the Scottish Government and a lack of dialogue between them and the DECC.
“I have written to the Scottish secretary of state for details of what discussions he has been having with the Scottish Government and colleagues at the DECC regarding the spill, and to ask what he is doing to facilitate a dialogue between them and environmental groups who are rightfully concerned about a lack of clarity regarding when the spill happened and how big the problem is.”
The oil company said: “Shell takes all spills seriously, regardless of size and we have responded promptly to this incident.”
Scottish environment secretary Richard Lochhead said the spill is being taken “extremely seriously”.
“As is standard practice in incidents such as this, the UK Government, which has responsibility for the pipeline system, will be taking forward an investigation and I will be pressing for the Scottish Government to have a full and formal role, given our responsibilities for the marine environment,” he said.
“The Scottish Government’s primary role is to advise on the impact any spill might have on the marine environment. Marine Scotland aircraft are currently involved in surveillance work over the affected area. Fishing vessels in the area have also been made aware of the incident.”