§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he first learnt of the intention by the operators of St. Fergus gas terminal to release a quantity of methane into the atmosphere; if his approval was sought; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 18 June 1990]: Shell UK Ltd. approached HM industrial pollution inspectorate for Scotland in January 1990 to discuss its plans for depressurising the main gas line in order to permit it to comply with the requirements of the Off-shore Installations (Emergency Pipeline Value) Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/1092) introduced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy following the Piper Alpha disaster. The plans included a proposal for venting a quantity of methane to atmosphere.
A consent from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy is required under section 12 of the Energy Act 1976 for any discharge of methane into the atmosphere.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy in respect of treatment of methane discharges resulting from pipe replacements at gas terminals.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 18 June 1990]: Gas terminals are scheduled works under the terms of the Health and Safety (Emissions into the Atmosphere) Regulations 1983. Section 5 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a duty on the owners of such works to use the best practicable means to prevent the emission into the atmosphere of noxious or offensive substances and for rendering harmless and inoffensive such substances as may be so emitted. This duty applies to the control of hydrocarbon discharges arising from pipe replacements.
528WAll discharges whether by flaring or releasing unignited natural gas into the atmosphere require the consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy under section 12 of the Energy Act 1976.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to require the 14,000 tonnes of methane anticipated to be released in the process of pipe work at the St. Fergus gas terminal to be flared off; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 18 June 1990]: Following discussions with Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate, Shell UK Ltd has undertaken to dispose of any gas which cannot be utilised by burning it at the St. Fergus terminal in facilities provided for that purpose. The quantity of gas requiring disposal by this means is not expected to exceed 5,400 tonnes.
There is provision on site to safely vent the gas to atmosphere via an elevated stack but flaring the gas is the preferred environmental option.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has made an assessment of the environmental implications resulting from the release of a large quantity of unflared methane from the St. Fergus gas terminal; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 18 June 1990]: Assessments of the environmental impact of venting methane at the St. Fergus gas terminal have been made on behalf of the company and these have been considered by Her Majesty's industrial pollution inspectorate.