The planning appeals board has queries over aspects of the risk assessment in the technical appendix of Shell's Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding "unexpected ground conditions" and "flooding" concerning the proposed removal of 450,000 cubic metres of peat from the refinery site to a Bord na Móna site 10 kilometres away.An Bord Pleanála has requested further information from Shell on the proposed Corrib gas refinery in Bellanaboy, Co Mayo.
In its letter, An Bord Pleanála states: "This in turn may require revised design measures, and contingency plans being prepared either to reduce the probability of occurrence, or to deal with the hazard should it occur."
Planning permission was granted for the refinery by Mayo County Council in April, but this was appealed.
Citing "the nature of the site and the occurrence of the extreme rainfall event that caused bog slides at Pollatomish in September 2003," Shell is asked "to detail the basis on which probability (P) values of the hazards occurring have been selected. It is expected that these values should be consistent and, where possible, should be based on objective scientific/statistical evidence."
Shell was informed, "the probability of several hazards occurring simultaneously or sequentially does not appear to have been adequately addressed, (an example would be the hazard of flooding causing the hazard of the failure of ponds)."
Shell's proposed use of dry cement to strengthen peat is seen as "a new technology in Ireland".
The board notes that tests carried out and referred to in the EIS "were on two peats from raised bogs, rather than on blanket bog as at Bellanaboy, and that the tests gave marked differences between the strengths of the stabilised mixture formed with the two peats."
The company is also asked to note "that the possible environmental impact of cement stabilisation and how it relates to the EC Water Framework Directive requirements are not considered". Shell has until August 31st to provide the requested information. The board's decision date for the Corrib project is September 21st.