Flaring maintenance work at Mossmorran

Essential maintenance is set to take place of ground flares at Mossmorran next week.

It will start on Tuesday and last until Thursday.

The work will be done by Fife NGL Plant, run by shell which forms part of the vast complex along with Fife Ethylene Plant.

Both ground flares will be shut off during the work, so if any flaring is required – and bosses say it is unlikely – it will be via the elevated stack.

Teresa Waddington, plant manager, said: “We usually work on the ground flares one at a time so that the other remains available but maintenance work that is required on a common system means both will be shut off on this occasion.

“The temporary unavailability of both ground flares means any flaring during the maintenance period will be directed to an elevated stack-flare. However we don’t anticipate any need to flare at the Fife NGL plant during this time.

“It is important that we maintain the ground flares as vital equipment on site for our and our neighbour’s use, and we would like to offer reassurance that this is a routine process with no risk to the community. I apologise in case it may lead to any inconvenience, and thank you for your understanding.”