corrib pipeline

by Niall Tue Nov 22, 2005 19:58

... at this link.

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Wed Nov 23, 2005 13:00

Press Releases

22/11/05
New Independent Analysis Challenges Credibility of Proposed Corrib Onshore System

Serious concerns expressed over "experimental" high-pressure pipeline placed in "unacceptable" close proximity to people and dwellings

Claims of highest international standards "meaningless" as no existing standard can address the numerous issues related to the development

The Centre for Public Inquiry finds that successive governments have been excessively generous to the oil and gas industry through fiscal and licensing concessions over thirty years
A report published today (Tuesday, 22nd of November) on the development of the Corrib gas project, has revealed that the disputed pipeline carries a real and substantial risk of failure because of its potential to operate at extremely high pressures. The likelihood of system failure is increased also because of the unknown gas compositions it is required to carry, and the probability of internal corrosion. As a result of these findings the report concludes that the current proposed route is unacceptable because of its close proximity to people and dwellings. The report was produced by the Centre for Public Inquiry - Fiosrú an Phobail - established in February this year.

The report is being launched this morning by the Centre for Public Inquiry's Chairman, Mr Justice Feargus Flood at 11am in The Ridgepool Hotel in Ballina, Co. Mayo. The report will be made available to Mr. Noel Dempsey, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, members of the Oireachtas, concerned communities in North West Mayo and other interested parties.

In another section of the report, The Centre for Public Inquiry examines how successive governments have granted major fiscal and licensing concessions to the oil and gas majors over a thirty year period. The report also examines the circumstances leading to the imprisonment of five men from Rossport in Co. Mayo for 94 days this year.

Central to the report, the Centre for Public Inquiry commissioned a detailed independent analysis from Richard Kuprewicz, president of US based consultants, Accufacts Inc. Mr Kuprewicz's analysis addresses the health and safety implications of the proposed pipeline and processing plant. Among its key findings, the report concludes that:

o The pipeline has a uniquely large rupture impact zone, with potential for high fatalities;
o There are too many unknowns regarding the future operation of this pipeline � especially in the areas of gas pressure and gas composition that can lead to failure;
o The thick-walled pipe specified for use is not invincible to leak or rupture � the proposed pipeline will transport gas at high pressure in a raw state, containing metals and radioactive gases. There is compelling evidence to suggest that internal corrosion of the pipeline is likely;
o The maximum pipeline pressure has not been clearly demonstrated or documented, and that this is a grave deficiency;
o Difficulties with locating the gas processing plant offshore have been overstated, and routing analyses for the onshore system are seriously deficient.

Mr Kuprewicz is highly critical of the Quantified (Quantitative) Risk Assessment (QRA) process used by the government to assess the proposed Corrib project. "The Quantified Risk Assessment is inappropriate for this highly unique, first of its kind, pipeline as there is no historical data that can be used to evaluate this proposed system" he said.

In his introduction, Mr Kuprewicz describes what he calls "Space Shuttle Syndrome" in relation to the statements driving the onshore proposal: "A propensity to rush launch at all costs while downplaying or ignoring very real risks." The report includes what it describes as a "reality reference check" in the form of the well documented "moderate" release gas transmission pipeline rupture in Carlsbad, New Mexico in August 2000. The pipeline at Carlsbad exploded as the result of aggressive internal corrosion, which Mr Kuperwicz warns could pose a similar danger to residents in North West Mayo. Twelve people, camping approximately 206 metres from the ruptured pipe were killed as a result of the blast and exposure to thermal radiation. The proposed Corrib pipeline runs within 70 metres of dwellings in Rossport.

Examining the process by which planning permission for the treatment plant at Ballinaboy was granted, the report shows that:

o An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission in April 2003 on a number of environmental grounds.
o Within a week of meeting with An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern on the 19th of September 2003, executives of the Corrib consortium (including Shell, Statoil and Marathon) were given unusual access to An Bord Pleanála (the Planning Appeals Board), to express their concerns over planning delays.
o On the 23rd October 2004, An Bord Pleanála approved planning permission for the processing plant.

A detailed examination by the Centre for Public Inquiry reveals that successive Irish governments have effectively ceded control of vast offshore reserves to the oil and gas industry. For example, as a result of new fiscal and licensing conditions for the industry, introduced in 1987 and 1992, the Irish taxpayer will receive no royalties from the Corrib gas find, while 100% of development costs can be written off against tax. This means that, through Statoil, the Norwegian taxpayer benefits more directly from the find than the Irish public, yet Irish people will be obliged to pay for any oil or gas from the Irish offshore at full market prices. In 1992, corporation tax on oil and gas companies was halved to 25% by then Minister for Finance, Mr Bertie Ahern. The 1992 terms also allowed the oil and gas companies to secure licences covering extensive offshore areas for long periods with minimal drilling requirements.

The report indicates the government's inclination to facilitate the oil and gas industry; to the extent that, in 1979, the state owned Irish National Petroleum Corporation was explicitly prohibited from any involvement in exploration or drilling. Detailing more recent activity by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, the report raises many questionable decisions:

o Since 2002, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources can make Compulsory Acquisition Orders for the benefit of private companies, permitting them to acquire land without the permission of the property owners. The five men from Rossport were jailed because they prevented Shell E&P Ltd. from exercising these orders;
o The Department failed to properly supervise work by Shell E&P which erected a section of the pipeline without the necessary ministerial consents. They were subsequently forced to dismantle it;
o The Department commissioned a safety review of the proposed pipeline from a company which was part owned by Shell and was later forced to commission an alternative review.

"This report by the Centre for Public Inquiry into the Corrib gas controversy raises serious issues of public importance. The analysis, by Richard Kuprewicz, of the proposed onshore pipeline and plant will also require detailed examination by all of the parties involved" said Frank Connolly, Executive Director of the Centre for Public Inquiry.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:
Niall Shanahan, Montague Communications � 01 830 3116 / 087 681 4950
Gerald Nash, Montague Communications � 01 830 3116 / 087 271 6816
Frank Connolly, Centre for Public Inquiry � 087 251 5986

by Síog Thu Nov 24, 2005 14:43

Ar deireadh thiar thall!!

There is now no doubt that the Rossport 5 were correct in their "non-expert" opinions. The report is astounding. It will take a few more evenings for me to read it thououghly but with what I've read, and been posted above, there is no way that we, the Irish people, can let that pipeline through. It was first said publicly at the Castlebar Rally during the Summer and I will say it again: This pipline is not going to go through Rossport!

by Basil Miller Thu Nov 24, 2005 22:32

I'm amazed not to see comment so far on the revelation in the CPI report that, in effect, the state has given away the property of the people of Ireland, to the tune of €50 billion worth of gas in the Corrib and surrounding fields alone. Miniscule tax returns, if any, and no royalties whatsoever will be received, as a direct result of Bertie Ahern's measures introduced while he was minister for finance under arch-thief Charlie Haughey.
This report should be read by all. It's downloadable in all its colourful glory here: http://www.publicinquiry.ie/reports.php#ld196

by IF Fri Nov 25, 2005 14:11

This report is a joke. The consequences of various actions are indisputable but it is the risk or probability that matters.

the consequence of a plane's engines failing and exploding are that there is going to be abig explosion and people could die. But the risk and probability of that happening is so low that the vast majority of people board planes every day without a second throught.

we all know that if a pipeline ruptures it could be dangerous - thats what this report tells us but it never looks at the risk of such an event happening.

Bull