Is Quashed License for Operation of Gas Terminal in Mayo a Shell Stunt?

mayo | environment | opinion/analysis Wednesday October 16, 2013 09:32 by Confused Local

Revised licence for Shell gas terminal at Ballinaboy quashed

The controversial Shell Corrib gas pipeline project in Co Mayo has suffered a "major" setback after the Commercial Court today granted an order quashing the revised licence issued for the Shell gas terminal at Ballinaboy.

It appears to be a convenient coincidence for shell that this revised licence granted just as this years offshore work began, and was quashed just as the offshore work was complete!

The main reason for Shell seeking "a review" of the licence was to pacify the local fishermen.

The EPA have not confirmed that Shell will have to re-apply for an IPPC licence, (An EPA spokeswoman said it was studying the wording, but believed at this stage that the licence was quashed from the outset).

"Dear Mr. Clinton,
Re: Application by Shell E&P Ireland Limited for a Review of the existing
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence (IPPC Reg. No. P0738-01)
pertaining to the Bellanaboy Bridge Gas Terminal, Bellagelly South, Co Mayo.
Shell E&P Ireland Ltd. hereby submit an Application for a review of the existing
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Licence (p0738-01) for the Gas
Terminal at Bellanaboy Bridge, Bellagelly South, Co. Mayo.
The relevant Classes of Activity for the facility under the First Schedule of the
Environmental Protection Agency Acts 1992 to 2007, as specified in the existing Licence,
are as follows:
9.3.1 The operation of a gas refinery (Main Activity)
2.1 The operation of combustion installations with a rated dlermal input equal to or
greater than 50 MW
The IPPC Licence Review Application principally relates to the proposed change of
discharge point for treated produced water from the permitted outfall point just outside
Broadhaven Bay, to the subsea manifold located on the seabed in the Corrib Gas Field in
some 350m water depth.
This change followed discussions with the Erris Inshore Fishermens Association (ElFA)
in 2008, during which SEPIL made a goodwill gesture by offering to use an alternative
method of discharge for treated produced water, subject to statutory approval ,

http://www.epa.ie/licences/lic_eDMS/090151b28034718d.pdf

Below is an extract from a piece by Lorna Siggins from the IT.

The Erris Inshore Fishermen’s Association forced a review of the EPA licence, following its campaign to ensure that emissions to the marine environment in Broadhaven Bay were mitigated. Shell required the fishermen’s co-operation for its offshore pipelaying operations, and, as part of a deal, the developer promised that it would use an “alternative method” of discharge for “treated produced water” or contaminated run-off.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/court...61962