Hundreds of offshore workers could spend Christmas in the North Sea after weather conditions canceled more than 50 helicopter flights.
About 300 employees, many of whom are Scots, were unable to leave the platforms off Denmark as planned.
French firm TotalEnergies said a phenomenon called “triggered lightning” was responsible for the disruption.
The company said it will never compromise on employee safety.
It also denied reports that it refused to reschedule canceled flights and use additional transport to get workers home for Christmas.
A spokeswoman said: “Helicopter transport around the North Sea in winter is always a challenge due to ice, fog, wind speeds and other factors.
“This year has been particularly affected by so-called ‘triggered lightning’, caused by polar air flowing over a warmer sea surface.
“This phenomenon has so far resulted in the cancellation of 52 flights in November and December 2022, which compares to zero cancellations from triggered lightning over the same period in 2021.
“Unfortunately, the phenomenon cannot be eliminated with de-icing systems, as has been mentioned in the media.”
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The company leading the Tyra Redevelopment Project said manned offshore installations would normally be serviced by helicopters.
They normally transport 130 people back and forth every weekday out of a total of around 1,250 offshore employees.
“Since the flights could not take place to the required extent, around 300 people are waiting to be transported ashore,” said the spokeswoman.
“We don’t compromise on the safety of our employees, either on the offshore platforms or when transporting back and forth between Esbjerg [Denmark] and the fields 150 miles out in the North Sea.
“We are in close dialogue with our provider of flights, Offshore Helicopter Services Denmark, and other parties so that we can best keep our staff informed and restore flights when it is safe.”
TotalEnergies has also requested helicopters from another supplier to increase the number of flights if the weather permits the resumption.
The spokeswoman added: “We have also committed three boats at short notice, which can dock near the platforms and set up a safe jetty if the waves are not too high. The first left Esbjerg Harbor on Saturday night.” , and new boat trips are planned for this week.
“We will do our utmost to bring all stranded people back before Christmas.”
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