Shell challenges facets of last license needed for Corrib project

Shell challenges facets of last license


Áine Ryan

SHELL E&P Ireland has challenged facets  of nine conditions attached to the proposed revised Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) emissions licence for the Corrib gas project. The company is among seven other groups or individuals which have made  valid objections to the revised licence.    
The objectors include a group of 64 residents from members of communities living in Rossport, Pollathomas and Glengad. Over the last decade, they say they have experienced ‘spills, sinkholes, light and noise pollution, changes to the land and the waters and breaches of regulations’.
A group of 1,100 objectors has also made a submission, facilitated by the online community petitions website, Avaaz, and initiated by Shell to Sea.  
In a preliminary decision published on April 13, the  EPA recommended issuing the revised IPPC (Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control) licence, which regulates emissions to the atmosphere and freshwater and marine environments. Submissions were allowed until May 11.
Shell has queried details relating to leak detection and repair programmes which must be installed within six months of granting the licence. It states the Bellanaboy terminal has a ‘comprehensive leak detection system in operation which encompasses the fuel gas system’.
It also questions the wording of a condition limiting noise emanating from non-emergency flaring of gas and certain emissions limits.