The UK government is monitoring the company’s response to the spill to ensure that it is dealt with quickly and safely, and with minimum impact on the environment.
Shaw said although the incident was deemed as significant, the oil is not expected to reach the shore and it will be dispersed naturally.
An operations control unit comprising an expert advisory team that includes the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, and Marine Scotland, has been established which is co-located at Shell’s Aberdeen office.
The priority in the coming days is to completely halt any further leakage, Shaw said.
"It will be for DECC and the HSE inspectors to thoroughly investigate the causes of this incident, and once the full report is completed, it will be sent the Scottish Procurator Fiscal who will consider it and make a decision on further action."
