Irish Independent: Pipeline disaster report dismissed by Shell: “A DAMNING report that a high pressure onshore gas pipeline in Co Mayo has the potential to rupture with catastrophic loss of life, was dismissed yesterday by energy giant Shell as "highly speculative".: Saturday November 26, 2005

Tom Shiel

A DAMNING report that a high pressure onshore gas pipeline in Co Mayo has the potential to rupture with catastrophic loss of life, was dismissed yesterday by energy giant Shell as "highly speculative".

Shell managing director Andy Pyle also insisted that the report, carried out by US-based consultants Accufacts for the Centre for Public Inquiry, was based on "only limited information" which was already available in the public domain.

The report, published earlier this week, warned that the present route of the proposed onshore pipeline, part of a 900m project to take gas ashore from the Corrib Field, was unacceptable because of its close proximity to people and dwellings.

Richard Kuprewicz, president of Accufacts Inc, claimed at a news conference in Ballina, that corrosion caused by untreated gas in the proposed Mayo pipeline could pose a similar danger as in a fatal accident in Carlsbad, New Mexico, in August 2000.

Twelve people camping 206 metres from the ruptured pipe were killed in that incident.

Confusion

The proposed Corrib pipeline will run to within 70 metres of homes in the Rossport area of Erris.

Mr Pyle countered: "The Centre of Public Inquiry Report is likely to cause a whole lot of confusion and concern that was totally unnecessary considering that the independent safety review commissioned by the Government is about to be issued."

The Shell spokesman complained that the company was not aware that any report was being commissioned and had no opportunity to submit technical data.

There was one contact with the Centre for Public Inquiry asking for general information which was supplied through the company's website.

Mr Pyle said he expected the results of the independent safety review into the pipeline would be published within a week. "It will be a much more thorough report and one that the public can rely on," he claimed.

Mr Pyle went on to stress that Shell has vast experience worldwide in operating and designing pipelines and gas terminals to the highest standards.

Shell also expressed renewed concern yesterday that the company was still blocked from entering the terminal site at Bellanaboy where "critical environmental work" needs to be carried out.

Mr Pyle said emotions were running high and called for calm and reasoned discussions.

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