At first glance it looks like an oil platform has been built in the sea near Burnham-On-Sea this week.
The mystery structure has been attracting plenty of attention from seafront walkers with some speculating that oil may have been found.
But energy firm EDF has come forward to explain that the vessel to the west of Stert Island near Hinkley Point is in fact carrying out drilling work on its behalf.
Spokesman Gordon Bell told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The drilling platform is there to carry out investigations of the sea bed ahead of the construction of a temporary jetty for the Hinkley Point C construction site.”
He added: “It is anticipated that the platform will remain in place until around Friday this week, depending on the weather and tide conditions.”
Pictured: Top, the ‘oil platform’ pictured from Burnham this week; centre, a close-up of the platform from Hinkley Point and, above, the silhouetted platform and water outake to the west of Stert Island near Burnham
