Start of the well intervention operation to stop the Elgin leak

May 15, 2012 - Total has today started the planned well intervention operation to stop the leak from the G4 well on the Elgin complex.

The well intervention operation got underway at 09hrs20 (local time) this morning with the pumping of heavy mud into the well from the main support vessel, the West Phoenix semi-submersible drilling rig, via a temporary pipeline connected to the G4 wellhead.

Depending on the precise conditions inside the well, the operation itself and the subsequent observation period will last a few days before it is possible to confirm whether the operation has been fully effective