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Energy giant Shell has been hit with a serious
setback after being told by planners to re-route part of the
controversial Corrib gas pipeline because it posed a safety
risk.
An Bord Pleanála found that more than half
of a 9km onshore stretch, carrying raw gas over bogland in
north Mayo, must be altered because of the dangers to nearby
homes. It ruled that information supplied by the Corrib Gas
Partners was not a complete, transparent or adequate demonstration
that the high pressure pipeline does not pose an unacceptable
risk to the public.
An Bord Pleanála has asked Shell to make several
safety changes - particularly to 5.6km of the 9km pipeline
which it says is too close to homes if a failure occurred.
Planning chiefs have also said that Shell’s design documents
fail to adequately show the structure does not pose "an unacceptable
risk to the public".
Shell has until February next year to address
the concerns. It will have to resubmit another environmental
impact statement and the altered application will then go
to another public hearing before a report is sent back to
An Bord Pleanála. The delay means a decision on the modified
pipeline may not be reached before the middle of next year.
In a 4-page letter to Shell and the Corrib Gas
Partners, the board said it would provisionally support the
pipeline linking the offshore gas field with the refinery
being built at Bellanaboy, if the developers make the necessary
alterations.
The route is deemed unacceptable due to -
- The plan to put the pipeline near dwellings that are within
the hazard range of the pipeline
- Problems with works where convoys of heavy goods vehicles
will travel over narrow bog roads
- The impact of construction on the local community which
would 'seriously injure the residential amenities of
the area'
Crucially, planning chiefs have asked Shell to modify the
pipeline route, so that it moves away from populated areas
of Rossport in Mayo and goes through Sruwaddacon Bay, a protected
area.
Other changes demanded include addressing hazard distances
from the pipeline, as well as issues around ground stability
and the protection of peat.
Planning chiefs also want all failure modes for the gas project
examined - including the possibility of third-party, intentional
damage and the existence of wet gas and CO2
in the pipeline.
Reacting to the demands, Shell said it noted the board’s
decision to approve the project once changes were made. The
company added - "In relation to the issue of safety, the Corrib
Gas Partners remain firmly of the view that the pipeline,
as designed, is safe and meets all international standards
and industry best practice."
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