Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDSA.LN) may
be prosecuted for the U.K.'s worst oil spill in a decade after Energy and
Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne confirmed an investigation into a 10-day
leak from the oil major's Gannet Alpha platform last month will be sent to
Scotland's public prosector.
"My department and the Health and Safety Executive have commenced
investigations into the cause of the incident," said Huhne, adding it
would likely "take some months."
"A full report will be sent to the procurator fiscal to consider whether a
prosecution is appropriate," Huhne said.
Previously, the DECC had said the findings of the investigation would only be
sent to the procurator fiscal "if appropriate."
About 218 metric tons of oil--equivalent to 1,300 barrels--spilled into the
North Sea from a leaking undersea pipeline at the North Sea platform between
Aug. 10 and 19.
Huhne said the DECC was initially informed on Aug. 10 of a surface oil sheen
and told a leak had occurred. However, he was then told by Shell that the leak
had been stemmed the following day.
On Friday Aug. 12, aerial surveillance in the late afternoon showed the leak
was continuing "with significant potential for pollution," said
Huhne. Shell only confirmed the leak to journalists later that day, leading to
criticism from some environmental groups and Scottish politicians about its
slow disclosure of the incident.