£140m upgrade to reduce gas flaring at Mossmorran

ExxonMobil confirms the investment which should cut down on loud bangs and massive flames disturbing locals.

Author: Max SteelePublished 17th Sep 2019
Last updated 17th Sep 2019

The Fife Ethylene plant at Mossmorran is to undergo a major overhaul in the wake of a flood of complaints from locals about unplanned gas flaring.

ExxonMobil says it will spend £140m over the next two years and the investment will support 850 construction jobs.

A statement from the company says the work will improve the site's reliability and reduce the frequency of flaring.

The plant's manager, Jacob McAlister said, "These planned investments demonstrate our commitment to the long-term reliable operations at the site.

"While already one of the most modern plants of its kind in Europe, we are always looking for ways to improve reliability and efficiency through continued maintenance and investment in new technologies.

"Fife has a long-term future as a competitive asset, contributing to both the local and national economies.”

A portion of the £140 million investment will go toward technologies that reduce the impact of flaring, including a state-of-the-art flare tip, which will reduce noise and vibration.

The project will support approximately 850 local construction jobs and benefit 40 local suppliers.

"We are committed to the highest operational and regulatory standards,” said McAlister.

"This investment further contributes to the local economy and across Scotland through job creation and procurement contracts.

But there are still concerns from locals and environmental campaigners.

Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell said: “It is good to see the operator finally take steps to reduce flaring at this plant, and I know the many residents who have had to suffer light, noise and air pollution will be impatient for a better quality of life.

“However, many of my concerns remain.

“I can see nothing in these plans about investment into carbon capture and storage to ensure the plant meets the 2045 carbon neutral target, a technology seen as the solution by the First Minister.

“The 850 jobs being promised are temporary ones, which is no way to secure the future of a community. For the sake of them and Scotland’s attempts to tackle the climate emergency, we need to be investing in a sustainable future now by creating new alternative jobs as part of a Scottish Green New Deal.

“Meanwhile, the BBC is reporting that the plant has been issued with an improvement notice over the risk of an explosion. To truly reassure the community that they are taking this seriously, ExxonMobil must outline in detail how they are making the site safe."

Ian Buchanan, Chief Officer, Compliance & Beyond at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, said: “SEPA has been clear that repeated unplanned flaring by ExxonMobil was both unacceptable and preventable and that in future flaring will be the exception rather than routine.

"Having served a series of notices and operating permit variations to drive investment, including in noise reducing flare tips by 2020, we welcome today’s broad announcement from ExxonMobil.

"We look forward to working with ExxonMobil on detailed proposals to both address the root causes of flaring and also on the requirement we have set around the “shortest period possible to plan, design, build and safely integrate” new ground flare technology which will significantly reduce impacts of flaring on local communities."

Scotland's Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "Given community concerns, the Scottish Government has been clear that the frequency of unplanned flaring at the site is unacceptable and that the operators must take steps to address this, so this announcement of action being taken is therefore to be welcomed.

"This significant capital investment over the next two years to improve the reliability and sustainability of the site is positive news and will help to address key issues identified by Sepa such as flaring and noise pollution.

"However, we know the local community will want to see this translated into lower frequency and impact of flaring too and I understand that is an objective of the investment also.

"It is also welcome that investment of this scale secures high-value employment that will be crucial in the transition to a net-zero economy in a way that is fair for all and we are keen to discuss with ExxonMobil the plant's role in the transition itself.

"The oil and gas sector can and will play a positive role in the low carbon transition, helping to channel its resources and innovative supply chain to lower its own emissions, as this investment will do, and to help design the diverse energy system we need for the future."

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