The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey T.D., has welcomed the publication this morning in Belmullet, Co. Mayo, of the Draft Independent Safety Review of the Onshore Section of the Corrib Gas Pipeline carried out by Advantica Ltd.
“When I received the report from Advantica on Monday, 21st November I felt it important, out of courtesy to the local people who had concerns about this issue, that they should be informed first of the contents of the report. I requested Advantica to attend in Mayo to present their draft report, the earliest date they were available was today, 8th December,” said Noel Dempsey.
“This Draft Safety Review, carried out by Advantica Ltd., for my Department, is the culmination of a number of months of work including two days of public hearings in Mayo in October and also a number of written submissions.”
Some of the key findings of the draft Report are:
- The pipeline has been designed to meet or exceed appropriate standards and to international best practice.
- The pipeline will be “fit for purpose” provided some detailed recommendations in the report are followed; the main one is that steps should be taken to absolutely guarantee that the pipeline pressure cannot exceed 144 bar. In the event that additional fields are found and proposed to be tied in to the pipeline the consultants have recommended a further full review before proceeding.
- Advantica finds that the wall thickness of the pipeline and the material composition renders it safe from all credible third party damage. Advantica also makes recommendations about extra protection at road crossings.
- The issues relating to peat stability and potential for slippage have been investigated in great detail (with assistance from the Geological Survey of Ireland) and it is concluded that the pipeline section to be laid in peat will be safe provided that inter alia ground condition texts are carried out on land not previously accessible to Shell or its Consultants.
The Draft Safety Report makes a number of key recommendations which the Department will consider carefully in the context of the final report. Among the recommendations are:
Ø The pressure in the onshore pipeline should be limited to enable the pipeline to be reclassified as a Class 2 (Suburban) pipeline with a maximum operating pressure of 144 bar.
Ø A formal integrity management plan is required; TAG (Technical Advisory Group of the Department) needs to put in place an independent (of Shell) audit and inspection procedure relating to Shell E&P Ireland (to be prepared) integrity management plan.
Ø The DCMNR permission / consenting system needs to be reviewed; Advantica recommends considering all aspects of pipeline operation and maintenance at the beginning of a project rather than on a phased basis as is currently the practice.
Ø Ireland should adopt a formal risk-based framework for assessing the safety of major infrastructural projects.
“Comments and observations on the Draft Safety Review are now being sought from all interested parties, up to the close of business on Thursday, 22nd December. As with previous submissions these will be posted on the Department’s website,” added Minister Dempsey. Advantica will consider these comments and observations and will submit the final report to the TAG who may make further recommendations to the Minister.
The Draft Safety Report is available on http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/TAG/Technical+Advisory+Group.htm or
Independent Safety Review pdf
ENDS