Corrib Gas Controversy - Shell to Sea (Paperback)

Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Shell to Sea (in Irish, Shell chun Sile) is a campaign based in Kilcommon parish, Erris, County Mayo, Ireland which opposes the proposed construction of a natural gas pipeline through Rossport, and also opposes the ongoing construction by Royal Dutch Shell, Statoil and Marathon Oil of a refinery at Bellanaboy intended to refine the natural gas from the Corrib gas field. The stated aim of the campaign is that the gas be refined at sea, rather than inland, as is done with Ireland's only other producing gas field off County Cork. They maintain the proximity of a natural gas pipeline is a risk to local residents. Shell to Sea banner, Belmullet, January 2009 Opposition to the gas consortium and government's plans among local residents grew from 2000 when local residents felt they were not adequately consulted. They opposed planning permission and appealed it to An Bord Pleanla twice. It was felt that government pressure was used to force the planning permission through. They also felt misled about the safety of the gas pipeline which did not require planning permission (Gas Act 1976) Shell to Sea protesters destroy a section of fence around the Shell compound, Glengad beach, September 2008The first event organised by S2S was on the June Bank Holiday weekend 2005 in support of Rossport resident's protests. Local landowners in Rossport were told that the raw gas pipeline would be coming through their lands no matter what, and that they would be subject to Compulsory Acquisition Orders if unwilling to reach a deal with Shell. Some agreed to allow Shell on their lands. Others refused, and Frank Fahey, then Minister for the Marine