"The rate of leakage from the flowline to the Gannet platform continues to decline and currently stands at less than one barrel a day," Glen Cayley, technical director of Shell's European exploration and production activities, said on Tuesday.
Shell also said a change in weather conditions meant the oil on the water surface had grown in size. "A change in wave and wind conditions and general visibility does mean that the sheen affects a wider area of approximately 26 kilometres squared and is estimated to be between 1-10 tonnes in volume.
"The situation remains that there is no need for use of dispersant and we continue to expect that it will not reach the shore."
Further detail emerged on Tuesday as Shell said oil seepage was continuing from a relief valve next to the main leak, dismissing reports of a second leak.
"The leak source remains the same. The initial release path was stopped on Thursday; however, the oil found a second pathway to the sea. There is no new leak," Shell said. Read the full report here.
Source: by Sarah Young, Reuters, London.
