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An energy company has been fined for releasing natural gas and crude oil during a maintenance operation in 2014.
Humbly Grove Energy Limited, of Humbly Grove Oilfield, Alton, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
It was fined £80,000 with £14,000 in costs.
Winchester Crown Court heard how around 145kg of natural gas was released into the atmosphere during the incident, together with some crude oil onto a concrete lined kerbed process area, resulting in the formation of a flammable gas cloud.
While two employees directly undertaking the work were unharmed, they were exposed to a risk of fire and explosion.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that the workers were inadequately trained, supervised and did not follow the permit to work and isolation procedures.
(LM)
