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15 August 2011
Last updated at 09:25 ET
Oil giant Shell has been urged by RSPB Scotland to be more open about a North Sea oil spill.
A leak in a flow line leading to the Gannet Alpha oil platform 113 miles (180 km) off Aberdeen was found last week. Shell said it was under control.
It is understood several hundred tonnes of oil could have leaked into the sea.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "We must ensure that those involved are equipped with all the necessary information."
The area of sea surface affected has been estimated to be some 19 miles (31 km) by 2.5 miles (4.3 km) at its widest point.
The Scottish government is to send a spotter plane to the scene to assess the situation.
Mr Housden explained of marine life fears: "Communication and sharing knowledge is key at this stage.
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"RSPB Scotland is ready and willing to offer its advice on how best to protect seabirds at risk, but we cannot do this without monitoring by the relevant agencies and sharing the details of what this monitoring has shown.
"We know oil of any amount, if in the wrong place, at the wrong time, can have a devastating impact on marine life."
A Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) spokesman said: "Shell has informed us that the oil leak at its pipeline at the Gannet Alpha platform east of Aberdeen is under control and has now been greatly reduced.
"They are working to completely halt any further leakage.
"DECC's environmental inspectors will continue to monitor the situation and have been working closely with the company and counterparts from the Health and Safety Executive, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Marine Scotland since the spill was reported last week."
'Substantial' spill The spokesman added: "Although small in comparison to the Macondo, Gulf of Mexico, incident, in the context of the UK Continental Shelf 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.
"Current estimates are that the spill could be several hundred tonnes."
Industry body Oil and Gas UK said procedures are in place to deal with the leak.
Earlier Greenpeace also expressed concern about the lack of information coming from Shell.
The Gannet oil field reportedly produced about 13,500 barrels of oil per day between January and April of this year.
The field is co-owned by Esso, a subsidiary of US oil firm Exxon, but is operated by Shell.
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A leak in a flow line leading to the Gannet Alpha oil platform 113 miles (180 km) off Aberdeen was found last week. Shell said it was under control.
It is understood several hundred tonnes of oil could have leaked into the sea.
Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "We must ensure that those involved are equipped with all the necessary information."
The area of sea surface affected has been estimated to be some 19 miles (31 km) by 2.5 miles (4.3 km) at its widest point.
The Scottish government is to send a spotter plane to the scene to assess the situation.
Mr Housden explained of marine life fears: "Communication and sharing knowledge is key at this stage.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
It is not anticipated that oil will reach the shore and indeed it is expected that it will be dispersed naturally”
End Quote
Department of Energy and Climate Change
"RSPB Scotland is ready and willing to offer its advice on how best to protect seabirds at risk, but we cannot do this without monitoring by the relevant agencies and sharing the details of what this monitoring has shown.
"We know oil of any amount, if in the wrong place, at the wrong time, can have a devastating impact on marine life."
A Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) spokesman said: "Shell has informed us that the oil leak at its pipeline at the Gannet Alpha platform east of Aberdeen is under control and has now been greatly reduced.
"They are working to completely halt any further leakage.
"DECC's environmental inspectors will continue to monitor the situation and have been working closely with the company and counterparts from the Health and Safety Executive, Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Marine Scotland since the spill was reported last week."
'Substantial' spill The spokesman added: "Although small in comparison to the Macondo, Gulf of Mexico, incident, in the context of the UK Continental Shelf 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.
"Current estimates are that the spill could be several hundred tonnes."
Industry body Oil and Gas UK said procedures are in place to deal with the leak.
Earlier Greenpeace also expressed concern about the lack of information coming from Shell.
The Gannet oil field reportedly produced about 13,500 barrels of oil per day between January and April of this year.
The field is co-owned by Esso, a subsidiary of US oil firm Exxon, but is operated by Shell.
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