News and Media Releases
Major Next Phase of Corrib Gas Project Underway
29/03/2007
· Resumption of peat haulage to commence next week · Corrib Gas to supply 60% of Ireland’s Natural Gas needs · Construction of gas processing plant in October 2007 · Local employment to increase from 200 to 700
The Corrib Gas Partners announced today that they plan to resume the peat haulage operation next week. The peat haulage operation will consist of the transfer of 350,000 tonnes of peat from the site of the proposed onshore terminal at Bellanaboy to a Bord na Móna cut-over site at Srahmore, 11km away. The operation will be completed by October 2007, when construction of the onshore gas processing plant will begin.
There are currently almost 200 people working on the Corrib Gas project and this figure will rise to approximately 350 in the coming weeks, once peat haulage is underway. By Autumn 2007, 700 jobs will have been created by the project with the construction of the onshore terminal.
The project has also resulted in the extension of the Bord Gáis Éireann distribution system to the west of Ireland. The Corrib partners have funded the main transmission line between Mayo and Galway through a tarriffing arrangement with BGÉ. It is hoped that the number of towns in Mayo that will benefit from the gas supply will increase as commercial markets are developed.
The Corrib Gas project is of strategic national importance. It benefits the Irish economy by enhancing security of energy supply and supporting economic development in the Border, Midlands and West region.
Ireland currently imports approximately 85% of its gas. Corrib will enable the country to replace gas imports from the UK with indigenous supplies. At peak production Corrib will supply some 60% of national gas demand.
Health and safety is a key priority of the Corrib project and the Corrib partners are working to ensure that this operation is carried out in the safest manner possible.
The Corrib Gas Partners are committed to building and operating a world-class facility at Bellanaboy in partnership with the local community. All decisions around the Corrib project are taken with due regard for the local community and with concern for the protection of the environment.
The Corrib Gas Partners welcome the upcoming oral hearing into the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed determination to grant an Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Licence for the Corrib project. "The oral hearing being held in Belmullet after Easter will provide an opportunity for those with genuine concerns to have their issues addressed in an open forum by the competent authority" said Terry Nolan, Shell E&P Ireland Ltd’s (SEPIL) Deputy Managing Director.