Gardaí and Shell are happy with progress in Mayo

mayo | rights, freedoms and repression | other press Saturday April 07, 2007 00:45 by Shell to Sea

Peat haulage continues while Garda operation "contains" protests

This week's Mayo Advertiser reports that Shell are very happy with the progress of peat removal from their refinery site at Bellanaboy in County Mayo, which started earlier this week. The surface of the site has to be removed before construction of the refinery can begin.

The Gardaí say they are also happy with their operation, reporting that they have easily contained the demonstrations and protests. The massive Garda operation has been widely criticised, with those opposed to the Shell/Govt scheme arguing that if protesters are breaking the law they should be arrested, and if not they should not be interfered with. To date there have been no arrests in this current phase of the conflict.

Gardaí say they are happy with their operation

People from around the country will travel to Mayo in the coming weeks to join the protests. Many local people have welcomed this news, and have asked that those interested in the issue should make their way to Bellanaboy to see the situation for themselves. A delegation of visitors from the United States will visit the area at the end of next week.

If you are in Dublin and are interested in travelling to Bellanaboy call 087 132 3369 or 085 718 7968 or send an email to [email protected].

From other parts of the country see

www.corribsos.com/index.php?id=21&type=page

MAYO Advertiser Publication Date: 06/04/2007

Progress with drilling and peat haulage in Corrib gas project

by Fiona McGarry

Major progress is being reported this week by the developers of the Corrib gas project.

The Corrib gas partners say they have resumed drilling activities off the Erris coast and begun once again to haul peat from the terminal site.

A semi-submersible rig is operating 83km off the Erris coast, and the partners plan to complete a total of five wells to prepare for production by next October.

The Corrib field is in 350m of water with the gas reservoir a further 3,000m below the seabed. The Sedco 711 drilling rig, which is being used in the Corrib gas field, is capable of operating in harsh environments and water depths of up to 550m. A type of underwater robot will be operated from the surface while performing construction and maintenance work in water that is too deep for commercial diving.

The Corrib gas partners have also announced that the peat haulage operation has resumed at Bellanaboy. The operation will involve moving 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 partners say the operation will be completed by October when construction of the onshore gas processing plant will begin.

The developers of the project have said that health and safety is a key priority of the Corrib project and that they are “committed to building and operating a world-class facility at Bellanaboy in partnership with the local community”. The partners also said that “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 developers have also welcomed the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to hold an oral hearing on the awarding of an operating licence to Shell E&P Ireland for the terminal. Referring to the hearing, which begins in Belmullet on Monday April 16, Terry Nolan, Shell E&PI’s Deputy Managing Director, said the event would “provide an opportunity for those with genuine concerns to have their issues addressed in an open forum by the competent authority”.

Meanwhile, Dr Mark Garavan, Seanad candidate and a member of Shell to Sea has claimed that “fair observers” of the Corrib gas project believe the financial deal under which the Corrib field is being developed is “unfair and wrong”. Dr Garavan noted that General Election candidates speaking on last week’s special broadcast of Tonight with Vincent Browne from Castlebar condemned the deal as wrong. “In addition, Mayo County Council, Westport Town Council and Castlebar Town Council have voted in recent weeks unanimously in support of motions calling for a renegotiation of the deal. Ballina Town Council is due to do the same next week,” Dr Garavan added.

This week, there were a number of protests at the terminal site and a van was seized for delaying trucks. However, Gardai easily controlled the gatherings and there was no interference with Shell E&PI workers.