Doubts over flare plans at refinery

Plans to stop burning gas high in the sky above Mossmorran are little more than a public relations exercise, according to a community councillor.

Shell has promised to introduce technology to remove the need for “elevated flaring” at its Mossmorran plant.

That means burning off gas between 20 to 150 metres above ground.

Managers plan to replace the flares with units working closer to the ground by 2025.

That is not enough for Tom Kinnaird from Benarty Community Council who lives about five miles from the chemical plant.

He said: “(Ground flares) will do nothing to alleviate the harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere.

“It’s a step in the right direction for them on a PR basis – they won’t have that scary flare high in the sky, it will be at ground level.

“The harm will still be done. It is business as usual at Mossmorran.”

Craig Burnett, Shell’s Fife NGL plant manager, said: “The planned installation of the new ground flares in 2025 will ensure that we are continuing to deploy best available technology at the plant.”