
“Shell has brought their worst practice in Nigeria into the beautiful Barony of Erris – how dare they and how dare this state allow Shell to poison a pristine environment and the health of future generations; this cannot be spun as a spurious health and safety concern – it’s incompetent and negligent; it is our Place and our People who suffer the consequences while unaccountable, faceless functionaries reap their pensions”
News Release – Issued by Shell to Sea – Sept 22nd, 2017 – For immediate release
— Shell’s incompetence puts lives in danger all over Mayo and Galway. —
Following Shell’s latest fiasco of putting odourless gas into the Irish gas network, Shell to Sea has again highlighted the lack of regulation and monitoring of Shell in relation to the Corrib Gas project. [1,2]
Shell to Sea spokesperson Terence Conway stated “During construction of the Corrib project, Shell were a clear danger to lives in this area, but now it is clear that they are a danger to lives further afield also. We have no confidence in the state to regulate or control Shell.”
Shell to Sea spokesperson Maura Harrington stated “Shell has brought their worst practice in Nigeria into the beautiful Barony of Erris – how dare they and how dare this state allow Shell to poison a pristine environment and the health of future generations; this cannot be spun as a spurious health and safety concern – it’s incompetent and negligent; it is our Place and our People who suffer the consequences while unaccountable, faceless functionaries reap their pensions”.
ENDS
For more information contact:
Maura Harrington: 087 9591474
Terence Conway: 086 0866264
http://www.shelltosea.com
http://www.facebook.com/shelltosea
http://twitter.com/#!/ShellToSea
Links
[1] Odourless gas danger: homeowners in Mayo and Galway told to switch off – Lorna Siggins – Irish Times
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/odourless-gas-danger-homeowners-in-mayo-and-galway-told-to-switch-off-1.3229683
Odourless gas danger: homeowners in Mayo and Galway told to switch off
Gas Networks Ireland issues warning after pumping problem with Corrib supply
Lorna Siggins: 21 Sept 2017
Natural gas customers in two western counties have been urged to turn off their supplies after odourless gas was pumped into the system from the Corrib gas refinery.
Gas Networks Ireland has advised customers in Galway and Mayo to switch off supplies at the gas meter box until further notice.
It is understood 9,600 domestic and commercial customers may have received the odourless gas, including hospitals.
In north Mayo, Shell E&P Ireland is attempting to burn off the existing gas within the system by “flaring”, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent inspectors to the refinery.
Natural gas is odourless, colourless and tasteless, and a chemical containing sulphur is normally added to give it a scent for safety reasons.
Gas Networks Ireland says that Galway city, the towns of Tuam and Headford in Co Galway and Ballinrobe, Castlebar, Claremorris, Westport, Crossmolina and Ballina in Co Mayo are affected by the alert.
In a statement, the company says it is recommending supplies be switched off as “in the unlikely event of a leak, customers in these locations only will be unable to smell gas in the current circumstances”.
“We will work with priority customers including hospitals to try to ensure their operations are not interrupted,” it said.
“We are working with the Corrib operator to resolve this issue and remove the un-odourised gas from the network in a safe and controlled fashion. Our best estimate is that this may take between 48 and 72 hours.”
Apologised
Gas Networks Ireland said it apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused by these measures.
“While the risk is low, safety is our first priority in operating the network,” it said.
Shell E&P Ireland has been burning off gas within the system at the Corrib gas refinery since early Thursday morning, with flaring expected overnight and well into Friday.
[2] Videos and Photos of Bellanaboy Flaring – Terence Conway
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