U.K. sees low risk from Total gas leak LONDON, March 30 (UPI) -- The British government said there's no evidence that natural gas is leaking below sea level from a platform in the North Sea operated by French company Total. Total this week reported a natural gas leak from its Elgin platform off the coast of Scotland. Concerns were raised recently about the risk of a major explosion of the gas cloud surrounding the platform because a flare is burning on the platform. The British Department of Energy and Climate Change said it received assurances from Total that the flare is in a location where prevailing winds are blowing the gas release away from the flame. "While alight, the flare remains a risk and Total is considering options for extinguishing it directly if it does not go out itself," the government said. Total is said to be considering dousing the flame using suppressant from a helicopter or through fire-fighting vessels. "Clearly this is a very concerning incident but we should recognize that so far the response from Total and government agencies has been very effective," the DECC said. Gas from thousands of feet below the seabed is traveling within the well system associated with the platform, therefore no gas is being released underwater. The DECC said it didn't anticipate a substantial risk to the environment. Total is considering drilling a relief well or blocking the well with so-called heavy mud to suppress the flow of natural gas. Sheen associated with the leak covers about 38 square miles.