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Shell to Sea Campaign
What is the issue here?
The Corrib Gas Field is a reserve of natural gas located off the west coast of Mayo. It was discovered in 1996 by Shell. They came up with the idea of pumping the gas inland (through a residential area) and then to a refinery where it would be processed. It is believed that both the pumping of the gas through the inhabited areas AND the refinery itself are threats to people’s health as well as the local environment. The perceived problem with the refinery is that it would be very close to where people are currently living and would produce toxic waste. The refinery is in construction, even though the pipeline route has not been officially confirmed.
What is the campaign all about?
The Shell to Sea campaign wants to stop this gas being piped onshore before being processed. They say that the problem with this planned gas route and pipeline is that it does not have any of the safety features of any other gas projects in the world. Normally, gas is processed at sea BEFORE being piped inland, so this project violates the worldwide protocol. In fact, the gas would be carried through pipes in the bog where landslides are a regular occurrence and bog conditions are unstable.
The unrefined gas would contain impurities that could erode pipes. So, if there was a leak, hundreds of houses would be at a high risk of fire. Furthermore, waste water from the refinery would flow into the water at Carrowmore Lake, the main source of water for the people living in Erris. There are no objections to gas being piped ashore in the normal way; but piping it ashore BEFORE being processed is where the danger lies.
What can you do?
Join a local group. There are local Shell to Sea groups based in Mayo, Rossport, Dublin, Galway, Belfast, Clare and Gort. There are also international Shell to Sea groups in the UK, Germany and Switzerland.
You can also sign the online petition to suspend the work on the Corrib Gas Field.
Further Information:
www.shelltosea.com/
www.indymedia.ie/mayo
