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.
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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)
