Kowalski

The flare is an integral part of the platform's safety system. In an emergency it is used to safely evacuate all the gas from the platform. During the incident it performed this task perfectly, allowing everyone to evacuate safely. When the emergency de-pressurisation is initiated, all hydrocarbons feeds are closed and valves are opened on installations vessels to de-pressurise gas to the flare. These valves remain open as they are designed to in such circumstances. The flare is still lit because when the platform is shut down and de-pressurised in an emergency, it cannot be fully purged as done in a controlled shutdown. This is perfectly normal. Some liquids do remain in the system and these liquids are now evaporating. As these liquids evaporate the flow of hydrocarbons to the flare will exhaust itself and the flare should burn out. At present the flare does not pose any immediate risk as the layout is designed to take into account the prevailing wind direction, ensuring that these winds are taking any gas from a potential leak in the wellhead area in the opposite direction to the flare. This is in fact exactly what is happening. The wind is forecast to remain in its current direction for the coming days. You can be assured that this is being reviewed on a constant basis and should this change any impact is being assessed. In parallel we are investigating solutions to extinguish the flare if it does not burn out by itself. We will continue to make information available via the following: www.twitter.com/TotalEPUK www.totalepmediacentre.com/go?Elgin25mar2012 http://www.flickr.com/photos/totalepuk/

http://www.donssupporterstogether.com/d-o-n-s-award-to-teddy-scott/ Good to see Teddy Scott is still going strong

These platforms are full of automated shutdown systems that should have done the job.

I know Obama hasn't quite set the heather on fire but these fuckwits that are fighting each other to win the Republican vote appear to be nothing other than horrible bastards. Hope they don't get in!

Tweeted by @Neiley83: "Celtic supporting follower suggesting C4 has evidence of email from Ogilvie to John Greig saying all players were on EBT's and how to hide it"

I know the league needs expanding but 40 would be too much!!

For fuck's sake: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2699444/ It's about time this lot were run out of town

Well there's a fucking surprise

The platform is still flaring, how is that possible? I thought the shutdown systems shutdown everything!?

Should have it fixed towards the end of October

What are the rumours kicking around about who/what might be to blame?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-17522087

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-17505448 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/9166853/North-Sea-gas-leak-sea-bubbling-under-platform.html This is beginning to look like it might be quite serious.

Wizard festival's aff: http://www.wizardfestival.com/

Makes a change from you trying to hang some black people from beams

He's officially left PS so can't see it, although they haven't announced a replacement. Seems a bit of a risk by Stone Roses having a better band supporting them.

Jocky Wilson RIP. A true Scottish sporting legend.

Utter shite. No player gets pass marks. I was only there for the alleged cup final voucher

4 years too late but I watched all 20 episodes of the Killing (Danish version). I don't know how I missed it first time around but I thought it was brilliant. Series 2 next!

In Caley GC RDL Pittodrie Bar 2-0

Me and my daughter were watching a film when she turned and said "Is that woman going to die daddy?" I replied "Judging by the size of that horses cock, I would say she will love!"

Can't say I've heard what he's been saying on any phone ins but he's a top notch sports writer IMHO and some of his articles on the subject of Rangers in the Scotland on Sunday are excellent.