Corrib gas to start flowing today. . . 20 years after project began

THE Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has given final approval to Shell to operate the Corrib gas pipeline and terminal in north Mayo.

Deputy Alex White confirmed that he had given consent to the pipeline subject to 20 conditions relating to environmental management, operation, control and monitoring.

It is expected the first gas could be brought ashore as soon as today.

Shell applied for ministerial consent to operate the pipeline and the onshore terminal last August.

After the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted a revised industrial emissions licence for the facility in October, the consent from the Department was the final approval needed to bring gas from the Corrib field ashore.

A spokesperson for Shell E&P Ireland said the company was pleased with the minister’s decision to approve the operations in Mayo.

Extensive tests were carried out at the facility in Bellanaboy for a number of months and it is expected that the company will start operations and bring the first gas from the Corrib field ashore in the coming days.

It is almost 20 years since the discovery of gas off the west coast by Enterprise Oil sowed the seeds for the project.

Initially, gas was expected to flow by 2004 and it is estimated the development has already cost in the region of €3bn.

Many locals have had long-standing concerns about the impact the pipeline and associated developments will have on the landscape, both during the development and operational phases.

Shell has committed to implementing an extensive biodiversity plan for the area and the company said standards have been thoroughly verified during all stages of the project.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has welcomed the signing of the final licence required for gas to flow in the Corrib pipeline.

He said: 'The Corrib natural gas field will meet on average 42% of the all-island gas demand over its first two years of operation and will add to GDP by substituting for imported gas.

'In this context, the development of indigenous gas resources will deliver significant and sustained benefits, particularly in terms of enhanced security of supply, import substitution, national and local economic development and fiscal return.'