Deferral exposes the huge safety risks posed by Corrib pipeline

mayo | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Thursday November 05, 2009 11:27

by RSC

An Bord Pleanala announced on Tuesday a deferral of the decision on the Corrib Gas onshore Pipeline, citing 14 conditions which cast huge doubt over claims from Shell that the project is safe. In the third delay on the decision regarding this pipeline, which was originally due on August 10, the Bord have highlighted hugely important safety concerns which are at the heart of the community's objections to the imposition of the Corrib Gas Project on the area.

An Bord Pleanala stated that the documentation provided by Shell 'does not present a complete, transparent and adequate demonstration that the pipeline does not provide an unacceptable risk to the public'.

Some of the glaring inadequacies pointed out by An Bord Pleanala include:

* Shell omitted details on the start of the onshore pipeline, which has the highest pressure -345bar

*A totally new Quantatative Risk Assessment required, that shows the risk at the different locations and operating conditions along the route

* Incomplete information on 'building burn distances' and 'escape distances'.

*No assessment of the 'societal risk' to people at Glengad has been carried out.

The Bord also highlighted the fact that 'Major hazard pipelines' (transporting wet gas) have not been properly legislated for in this country, and they therefore stated that UK standards relating to comparable pipelines should be used.

Shell to Sea spokesperson Maura Harrington said: “What An Bord Pleanala have really shown today is that the Corrib Gas pipeline is not safe to be routed through our community, or indeed any residential area. Shell have consistently shown their inability and unwillingness to make this project safe – what it needs is a total overhaul, with real consideration given to the genuine problems with the project raised by campaigners”.

She added: “While we appreciate that An Bord Pleanala are under huge pressure from the government and Shell to allow this, they should not be making pre-emptive statements about supporting the project if Shell address safety concerns. This compromises their position in implying that if a project is submitted as Strategic Infrastructure, it will be pushed through regardless of the severe danger it poses to peoples lives. Ireland's real strategic interest would be in regaining control of our natural resources.”

Loads of comment and media articles available on www.shelltosea.com
- In particular check out Ed Moran's brilliant take on things http://www.shelltosea.com/node/83

Full Bord Pleanala letter to Shell here: http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/GA0004.htm (chose 'Other 1')

Sorry about the delay folks!

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Comments (5 of 5)

Shell spokesmen gone very quiet- but there's always Ebay

by IT archive reader

Thu Nov 05, 2009 11:54

Irish Times : Pipeline declared 'invalid' sale item on eBay

Saturday October 22nd, 2005

Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent & Patrick Logue

An "experimental gas pipeline - unwanted by local people" in Co Mayo - fetched all of eight bids on the eBay Internet auction site yesterday before it was declared an "invalid" item.

The "used" pipeline at Rossport was placed on eBay at 10pm on Thursday, with bids starting at 1.50 and making 21 by yesterday morning.

The item was described as a "large welded steel pipeline intended to pump raw untreated odourless (and extremely dangerous) natural gas from the bottom of the sea through a residential area on Ireland's beautiful and historic north-west coast".

It was further described as "unsuitable for present location on health and safety grounds" and "illegally placed on site without consent of government or local people". Its condition was "slightly rusty" and its length was "three kilometres", with "another six kilometres if anyone wants it".

"The people of Ireland have reacted a bit preciously to the idea of a few of them being blown up while Shell make a lot of money taking their natural resources, heaven knows why," the posting continued. The auction date was set at 21 hours GMT on October 30th.

Saturday October 22nd, 2005
IRISH TIMES page 2

Corrib pipeline - Consequence maps

by JM

Thu Nov 05, 2009 14:21

Here are the consequence maps produced by Shell at the ABP oral hearing this year, showing ruptures at the higher pressures anticipated on the proposed Corrib gas pipeline.

Glengad rupture - 345/144

Rossport rupture1 - 144

Rossport rupture2 - 144

Rossport rupture3 - 144

RPS - Ropey Pipeline Safety

by Fearbolg - S2S

Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:39

If Shell have paid RPS for this fiasco it's a bigger ripoff than than John o' Donoghue's gold-plated jocks.

who's paying?

by lulu

Sat Nov 07, 2009 08:24

I'm doubting $Hell would pay from their own pocket, when most of their expenses have been met by taxpayers. A little creative accounting could put it all on the D of "R & D".

Irish Times quote of the week

by IT READER

Sat Nov 07, 2009 14:49

"The design documentation . . . does not present a complete, transparent and adequate demonstration that the pipeline does not pose an unacceptable risk to the public." – An Bord Pleanála, 15 years into the Corrib gas project.

This week they said... IRISH TIMES SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7th

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Deferral exposes the huge safety risks posed by Corrib pipeline

Comments (5 of 5)