Corrib Gas partners outline process for finding new onshore pipeline route

In his recent report Peter Cassells recommended that the onshore pipeline route be modified within the vicinity of Rossport to address outstanding concerns about proximity to housing. The Corrib gas partners agreed to implement this recommendation, and all others contained in the report, and have today outlined the detailed process around pipeline modification.

The process for finding a new route will take between six and twelve months after which a formal application will be made to the Department for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The process will involve the following seven stages:

1. Discussions with statutory bodies: Discussions with prescribed statutory bodies such as the Department for Communications Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR), Mayo County Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service, North West Regional Fisheries Board etc. These discussions have already begun and will be ongoing.
   Identify possible routes: Identify possible routes in the vicinity of Rossport. This work has commenced with much of the preliminary desktop work completed. The areas that these potential routes will run through include the wider Sruwaddacon Bay and Rossport area, and areas to the north of Rossport. Input from the local community at this stage is welcome.
   Landowner engagement: Individual meetings with landowners. This is likely to begin shortly and will be ongoing.
   Technical and environmental studies: Carry out survey work to understand whether these routes are technically and environmentally viable. This will involve walking surveys, obtaining sea bed soundings, taking soil and rock samples from the Bay areas and, later, with landowner consent, undertaking geotechnical ground investigations along the identified routes. This work is expected to commence later this year in the Bay areas and early 2007 on land and will extend over a number of months.
   Community consultation: Consultation with local community and relevant groups about preferred routes. This will involve making public details about the preferred routes and receiving feedback from both individuals and community groups. It is likely that this will involve public information sessions in the Erris area in the early part of 2007.
   Prepare Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
   Submit application: Submit EIS and application for new route proposal to Department for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Commenting on today's announcement Terry Nolan, Shell's Mayo based Deputy Managing Director said "The local community in Erris is keen to know where the new route will be. The process for finding a new route will take up to a year during which time we will consult as widely as possible with local landowners and the community. Clearly the key to finding an agreed route will be landowner agreement and community acceptance and we are determined that the process will be fully inclusive and transparent".

He went on to say "I would welcome input from any individuals or groups on the process outlined today - I believe it is a good way forward, but am open to all suggestions".

The Corrib Gas partners have previously announced their intention to return to work on the Bellanaboy site in September to undertake two key pieces of work. Firstly, the water treatment equipment needs to be expanded before the wet season sets in to ensure that all surface water leaving the site meets Mayo County Council and Fisheries Board agreed standards. Secondly, although full-scale construction activity will not commence before spring 2007, preparatory work and site maintenance needs to be carried out so that peat can be removed from early spring (2007). The Corrib partners have today confirmed that this work will commence next week.

Commenting on the return to work Terry Nolan said, "I was very pleased with the recent interest from local companies in the tender notices for work on the Bellanaboy site. We have so far awarded letters of intent for work on the site to the value of €75million. Of this approximately €10million will be spent in Erris. Once full construction is underway (in mid 2007) we would expect there to be somewhere in the region of 700 jobs and as many of these as possible will go to local people."