Latest from Ballinaboy - Shell halt work as temporary measure

by Eve C Tue Jul 05, 2005 17:12

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by Newsagent Tue Jul 05, 2005 17:22

Saw a headline like 'shell halt work over pipeline protest' over the weekend as i was selling a sunday paper, clairvoyant journos i thought. From a quick look at it, turns out its in russia, a controversial pipeline, enviromental damage, sounded familiar. it was in the financial section of one of the english papers. Anyone got any more info on this, it points to a bad record for shell and current evidence of shady deals and bad engineering that could be useful.

by mns Tue Jul 05, 2005 17:45

Yes, you're right. Shell don't have a bad reputation just in Mayo and in Nigeria.....

More information available at the following links, and generally at www.moscowtimes.ru (although Archive Access required for older stories):

http://www.mosnews.com/money/2004/08/27/oilwhales.shtml
http://www.lngwatch.com/race/resources_sakhalin.htm
http://www.pacificenvironment.org/press/sakhalin_spill.htm
http://www.seashepherd.org/news/media_050408_1.html
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/europe/where/russia/sakhalin/index.cfm
http://www.dirtymoney.org/
http://www.eca-watch.org/problems/eu_russ/russia/sakhalin/sakh2_index.html

by ruskies Tue Jul 05, 2005 17:50

Shell are doing publicity rounds joining with Marks and Spencers' to launch a vegetable garden iniative
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1521403,00.html
and are taking part in discussions to buy russian gas company, Sibneft, which is mostly privately owned, they would so in a consortium bid with the Russian state gas company Gazprom, which is the biggest gas company in the world.
http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20050705/40845408.html
their stock has (like that of pink floyd) gone up since the MPH gigs, last weekend, since when it is estimated over 100,000 african children have died due to starvation.

by n Tue Jul 05, 2005 18:10

anyone got access to c&p

by eeekkkkk Tue Jul 05, 2005 19:57

.

by Mr. ehmm Tue Jul 05, 2005 21:19

Saw this in the sunday papers found more details on shells website.....
Press Release
printable version
 








Statement from Shell in Ireland in relation to its Retail and Commercial Business

24/06/2005

The Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies (Shell) announced today that it is in negotiations with a number of prospective buyers for its Retail and Commercial businesses both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The businesses include its retail service station network, supply and distribution assets and facilities, commercial fuels, lubricants and marine businesses.

I.e they are on their way out anyways!!!


 

by Elaine Tue Jul 05, 2005 23:13

Couldn't find the above mentioned article on the indo on line. But did find this ...

>Priest on picket line as pipeline trucks blocked


"A PARISH priest joined the picket line yesterday as protesters prevented a fleet of trucks from removing peat at the site of the proposed €900m Corrib Gas terminal in Co Mayo.

Fr Michael Nallen, PP, Aughoose, Co Mayo, told reporters the gas controversy and the jailing of five local men for refusing to undertake not to obstruct the construction a high-pressure gas pipeline had caused deep unhappiness and division.

"People fear the risks associated with a high-pressure pipeline so close to their homes," Fr Nallen said. "Processing of the gas should be done out to sea."

Fr Nallen said he would continue to man the picket line when pastoral engagements allowed.

Protesters are adamant that no trucks involved in the huge peat-removal operation will be allowed out of the area while the five jailed men remain in prison.

One of the picketers, Edward Moran from Belmullet, said: "This is no longer a local issue. Others are prepared to go to jail. We will if necessary fill the jails to overflowing."

Gardai were called to the terminal complex at Bellanaboy yesterday after protesters imposed a blockade on all lorries leaving the site. Garda Inspector Michael Murray told the protesters he understood it was local people who had been involved in the protest so far. "I would like local people to stay in control of the picket," he said before leaving to meet Shell personnel at the complex.

Meanwhile, the prison authorities are to refuse applications by politicians to visit the five jailed men unless the men specifically ask to meet them, writes Tom Brady. Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams has already been turned down after prison officials said they did not want to see the detention turned into a circus.

The men are allowed an average of one visit and one phone call a day, and meeting politicians would mean reducing their opportunities of talking with their families. "

- Tom Shiel

And this bit too which ties in with an earlier posting above....

"Monday July 4, 07:40 PM
Shell: Irish forecourt exit reflects wider European exodus
Shell has reportedly announced plans to exit the Irish fuel retail market.

Intensifying competition in the Irish fuel retailing market has seemingly prompted Shell to announce its departure from the country, hot on the heels of its exit from several


other European markets. With Shell apparently set to focus its future downstream operation on emerging Asian markets, a trend could yet emerge whereby the oil majors quit Europe's forecourts altogether."

- http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/050704/241/fmn07.html

This will lessen the effects of a boycott by western consumers which is perhaps the only effective method we have of influencing large multinationals.

by zzzzzzippppp Tue Jul 05, 2005 23:33

Lorna Siggins, Marine Correspondent

Shell E&P Ireland discussed suing the State if the company failed to have opponents of the Corrib gas pipeline committed for contempt of court.

This emerges from memos contained in an exhibit attached to an affidavit issued by Shell to five Mayo residents opposed to the pipeline before a court hearing last week.

The memos recording discussions between Shell and its lawyers on several dates in June also indicate that company chief executive Andy Pyle wanted to have all the obstructing landowners "committed" for contempt of court, but was advised against this from a "public relations point of view".

In discussions dated June 7th, 2005, relating to an injunction granted to the company on April 4th, concern is expressed about the "latitude" afforded to two of the landowners by the judge in court.

"Unless the trial judge (which is unlikely to be Finnegan P) [ Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, president of the High Court] is prepared to be much stricter in his control of the lay litigant defendants, then there exists the distinct possibility that the case will endure for much longer than the three week estimate," the memo states.

Memos of June 8th and 10th refer to a risk that the company will prejudice its position if it does not go back to court "sooner rather than later".

In a memo dated June 10th, Susannah Uglow of Shell's Corrib onshore pipeline project steering committee stated "that there were two main reasons for the delay in the progress of works".

One was the "delay in obtaining all the necessary consents for the pipeline installation works" and secondly "because they felt that it was important to make a conscious effort to meet and talk with the non-consenting parties".

However, the company was advised by its solicitor that it would be "preferable to make an attempt now to enter the lands of the non-consenting landowners and decide whether we want to take matters a further step, ie to seek to have the landowners who continue to prevent access to their lands held in contempt".

The company was advised in the June 10th memo that there was "no necessity to seek the committal of all of the defendants", but Shell should "attempt to access all of the lands". Mr Pyle "asked why not just have all of them committed". His public relations manager Rosemary Steen "pointed out that from a public relations point of view this was not the best course of action".

Also in the June 10th memo, Ms Uglow advised the group that she was speaking to Michael Daly of the petroleum affairs division within the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and was advised that they were expecting the new review of the quantified risk assessment (QRA) of the pipeline "next week". The memo also states that the petroleum affairs division "did not want the original QRA made public until the consent on foot of the updated QRA has issued".

ALSO: The Law Must Be Obeyed IT editorial is here: http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=70672

by local Wed Jul 06, 2005 15:04

i just cant believe how things have gotten this far.yesterday was the start. i am totally for getting our men out of jail, but what has gone on in ballinaboy yesterday is a disgrace. local lads working in the compound were not at liberty to leave and if they did they had to leave their vehicles there. i know the 5 men would not want this kind of bullying to be used on their behalf.and the media are triving on half truths.yes protest by all means but dont lower ourselves to shell limits.come on Mayo.!!!!!

by am Wed Jul 06, 2005 15:20

It is Shell (and the Irish state) who are doing the bullying.

by Michael Quinn Wed Jul 06, 2005 15:47 mpq at campus dot ie

Glad to see that Shell have been forced, at least temporarily, to halt work. Perhaps that will make them realise that they cannot ignore the rights of others in this case, as they have done so often in the past.

A few more points. One of Shell's major technical contractors is Technip (http://www.technip.com) who happen to have a branch in Aberdeen:

Genesis Oil & Gas Consultants Ltd (Aberdeen)
3 Queens Gate
Aberdeen - Scotland AB15 5YL - UK

They were awarded some valuable contracts from Shell:
http://ogj.pennnet.com/articles/article_display.cfm?Section=ONART&C=TOPST&ARTICLE_ID=227335&p=9

I noticed this on the RTE site today - and it's not usually a purveyor of radical claims; does anybody have more details?

'Mr Casey [solicitor for the five men now in jail] claims there is no ministerial consent for the laying of the Corrib gas pipeline and that Minister for Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, confirmed this in the Dáil last week. '

http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0706/mayo.html

by Mary Wed Jul 06, 2005 21:44

The protests outside the shell plant on Tuesday were a disgrace, the protesters acted like hooligans trapping in the shell staff members. Those people are only doing their job and do not need to be harassed by the general public. The protesters shouted abuse, threw stones at vehicles and some actually tried to physically attack one worker. Employees trapped in the plant were afraid and tearful. I ashamed to say i'm from Mayo after that carry on.

by Mary Wed Jul 06, 2005 21:44

The protests outside the shell plant on Tuesday were a disgrace, the protesters acted like hooligans trapping in the shell staff members. Those people are only doing their job and do not need to be harassed by the general public. The protesters shouted abuse, threw stones at vehicles and some actually tried to physically attack one worker. Employees trapped in the plant were afraid and tearful. I ashamed to say i'm from Mayo after that carry on.

by Justin Morahan - Peace People Thu Jul 07, 2005 12:11

if what started out as a dignified, non-violent and heroic action would be spoiled by reports of intimidation and bullying like the above.
Are the reports true? It is important that the truth be known.

If the reports are true, are the people involved genuinely angry supporters - or are they perhaps agents of Shell paid to give the cause a bad name at this critical stage?

If genuine supporters have engaged in any intimidation or bullying, I would appeal to them please to desist now. Non-violence is not only the nobler and better way, it is also a far more powerful and more feared instrument against the forces of injustice than violence can ever be.

If there are agents provacateurs in the protest lines, it is important to identify them now and ask them to leave. Shell would like nothing better than a story of their workers being intimidated or bullied.

Please keep up the good work non-violently. This is not just a national story now but an international one.

Don't let Shell win.

by Imelda - Environmental Health Officer Tue Jul 19, 2005 13:10

Residents that have the potential to be affected by this development should be informed by way of a Health and Safety meeting (conducted by experienced personnel in the field of gas refining ON LAND ) of all the health and safety implications of this this project. After such meeting they will be properly informed thus a vote should take place among residents to determine whether or not they will allow such a development take place on their land. If the vote is negitive they should then involve the planning authority and seek their own court injunctions.
It is very unfortunate that this free state has to take such drastic measures with those five innocent men. They must be set free from jail and be allowed to get on with their lives. They have a basic human right to seek assurannce in WRITING that themselves and indeed their precious families will not be affected by this extremely controversal project both NOW and in the FUTURE. Shell, Statoil and past /present Goverments will have alot to answer for if there are any serious health, infastrutural or ecological implications due to this project.