Earthquake ‘shakes’ North Sea platform

A mild seismic event occurred on Tuesday in the UK North Sea that was felt on an offshore oil and gas facility.

British Geological Survey on Tuesday afternoon tweeted that a 4.2 ML earthquake was detected in the Central North Sea, approximately 240 kilometers east of Aberdeen at a depth of 10 kilometers. It had an intensity of 3 EMS.

A 3 EMS event is, by definition, weak, and felt indoors by a few people, while people at rest feel a swaying or light trembling. This is how it was felt on the Elgin-Franklin field in the North Sea.

“We have received a report from the Elgin-Franklin offshore field that this event was felt by several people on the PUQ offshore oil platform. The reports describe “a moderate shaking feeling,” British Geological Survey further said.

The  Elgin and Franklin are two high pressure/high-temperature gas and condensate fields, sitting 240 kilometers east of Aberdeen, in Scotland. The fields, operated by Total, started production in 2001.

We have received a report from the Elgin-Franklin Offshore Field that this event was felt be several people on the PUQ offshore oil platform.

The reports describe “a moderate shaking feeling”.

— British Geological Survey (@BritGeoSurvey) September 24, 2019

Offshore Energy Today Staff

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