Martin Ferris
Ceist:224 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will provide copies of the documents (details supplied). [26244/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 27 October 2004
Ceisteanna (120)
Freagraí scríofa
The consent to construct the pipeline as issued under section 40 of the Gas Act 1976, as amended, is essentially permission, in principle, to proceed with the design process for the pipeline, including the onshore 9 km section. This, in turn, is followed by the issue of "consent to install and commission" by petroleum affairs division of the pipeline. The works to install and commission the Corrib gas field pipeline will be undertaken in phases. Each phase requires a separate consent. The various phases address all technical issues including methodology, design, trench, depth and safety, etc., and may also require inputs from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
In this context, my Department has issued the following consents for the following phases: phase 1 — nearshore trench construction; and phase 2 — landfall. In addition, an interim consent of the phase 3 preparatory works has also issued. I have forwarded details of the correspondence to the Deputy. Applications for the remaining phases of the "consent to install and commission" have yet to be submitted by the developers.
The route of the proposed pipeline is as set out in section 19 of the Corrib field development offshore — field to terminal — environmental impact statement, which has a been published. The application for consent and the associated EIS was subject to full public consultation procedures, as specified under the Gas Acts, as amended, between November 2001 and the decision in April 2002.
The review by PAD of the onshore pipeline quantified risk assessment, additional transient analysis undertaken to ensure liquid slugs can be safely accommodated and the proposed measure for mitigating upheaval buckling of the infield flowlines is not complete and is the subject of ongoing dialogue with the developers. Accordingly, it would be inappropriate to make public at this stage documentation given its work in progress nature. In any case, the consent of the developers would be required to release any document originating with them.
As regards the pipeline integrity philosophy document, the hydrotest-pre-commissioning procedures and the terminal quantified risk assessment, the petroleum affairs division has not received an application for commissioning. Shell E&P Ireland Ltd. must furnish such a document at least 30 days prior to commissioning. On receipt of same, my Department will carry out a review of the document.