A HAMPSHIRE-based energy company has been fined for releasing natural gas and crude oil.
Winchester Crown Court heard how a maintenance operation at Humbly Grove Energy Limited based in Alton went wrong.
During the incident,145kg of natural gas went into the atmosphere, together with some crude oil which went onto the concrete lined kerbed process area, this resulted in the formation of a flammable gas cloud.
The two employees directly undertaking the work were unharmed but were exposed to a risk of fire and explosion during the incident which happened on February 26, 2014.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the employees involved were inadequately trained and supervised, and they did not follow the permit to work and isolation procedures.
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, and was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,000.
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