An engineering firm which has in the past worked on projects for Shell, the company building the controversial Corrib gas pipeline in Co Mayo, has been appointed to conduct an independent safety review of the project.
Its findings are due for completion within six weeks and will be made public, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey, said today.
Five men have been jailed for blocking work on the 9km onshore stretch of pipe from Shell's offshore gas field. It later emerged some of the work had not been authorised and that the company which conducted the original safety review was part-owned by Shell.
Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey
Mr Dempsey ordered a second review last July and today selected Advantica from the eight tenders submitted.
"The purpose of this review is to meet the concerns and fears expressed by local residents in relation to the safety of the onshore pipeline," Mr Dempsey said this afternoon.
Residents are concerned the pipeline from Bellanaboy to Rossport is too close to their homes. The pressure the gas will move through the pipe is unprecedented in Ireland and could lead to houses within 200 metres being razed in the event of an explosion.
Mr Demspey pledged that a "communication mechanism" between the company and the residents would be put in place.
He said the Advantica review will be finalised within four to six weeks and the recommendations will be considered before consents for further developments of the pipeline are issued.
The review will:
- identify documentation relating to the design, construction and operation of the onshore pipe and its associated facilities
- offer an opinion as to whether the pie and proposed operation of it complies with best practice
- identify any deficiencies in the project and make recommendations on the matter if needed
Advantica, which employs around 700 people, disclosed during the tendering process that Shell had in the past been its client. Mr Dempsey said he was satisfied this did not constitute a conflict of interest and noted that the company competes for work with a consultancy which is a Shell subsidiary.
The company specialises in risk assessment for pipeline design, routing and standards and is described by the department as a world leader.