| Flaring event |
Incident length |
Impacts noted |
Reason |
Operators |
June 2017 |
Approximately 5.5 days |
Noise and vibration
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Mechanical failure of a steam condensate return pump. |
ExxonMobil
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Flaring for approximately 1.25 days including
26 minutes
27 minutes |
Black smoke
Black smoke
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Lack of steam supply to the flare.
Loss of ethane feed causing rapid reduction in steam header pressure. |
Shell
ExxonMobil
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| October 2017 |
3.25 days |
Noise and vibration |
Ethylene release from a flange. |
ExxonMobil |
| March 2018 |
Approximately three days |
Noise and vibration |
Shut-down of a process gas compressor by a safety mechanism. |
ExxonMobil |
May 2018
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Approximately four days |
Noise and vibration |
Splitter product draw-off pump outage. |
ExxonMobil |
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Final Warning Letters were served on both companies by SEPA in April 2018 related to “preventable and unacceptable” unplanned flaring during June 2017.
Both can be viewed on SEPA’s website.
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Variation of permit conditions and evaluation of Best Available Techniques (BAT)
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Notices of variations to their Permits were served on ExxonMobil Chemical Limited and Shell UK Limited in June 2018.
The variations included the requirement to complete an evaluation of the Best Available Techniques (BAT) to prevent and, where that is not practicable, reduce emissions of noise, vibration and smoke associated with flaring.
The outcome of the BAT assessment is an essential part of understanding what can be done to stop unacceptable and preventable impacts of flaring.
SEPA has held review meetings at key stages with both companies to ensure progress. The interim reports on progress towards the evaluation of Best Available Techniques for flaring, which were required by 30 November 2018, have been submitted and are available to view on SEPA’s Public Register.
They indicate that the Operators are progressing towards completion by the required date of the 30 April 2019 and that the scope of the assessment covers the appropriate breadth and depth.
- ExxonMobil Chemical Limited and Shell UK Limited have confirmed that five separate working groups have been established incorporating technical specialists from both operators and third party consultants to cover the full scope of the assessment.
- Progress to date has highlighted potential ground flare technologies and site based techniques that may reduce and/or minimise noise, vibration and/or smoke from flaring. The companies have advised that further assessment is required to determine what combination results in the best overall benefit.
- In addition to publishing the interim reports SEPA is committed to publishing the Operators’ final assessments.
Both operators must continue their commitment to implementing Best Available Techniques. SEPA will continue to work with Exxonmobil Chemical Limited and Shell UK Limited to provide advice and guidance if required, and will ensure any proposals are acceptable and appropriate. If this is not the case we will take any necessary action.
SEPA believes it is important that operators continue to explore opportunities for good communication links with local communities.
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Investigations by SEPA and HSE
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The Mossmorran Complex falls under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations. These are enforced by the COMAH Competent Authority, represented by the relevant safety body (for Mossmorran this is the Health and Safety Executive) and the appropriate environmental regulator (SEPA).
SEPA’s focus is to ensure compliance in terms of the ability for the Installation to flare safely without causing unacceptable impact on the local community.
SEPA’s Enforcement Policy sets out the intent and principles underpinning our approach to enforcement action. The intent behind the enforcement action we have taken is to:
- secure compliance and change the behaviour;
- stop or reduce the risk of harm arising from the non-compliance to an acceptable level.
SEPA has used our enforcement policy to guide our decisions in taking what we consider to be the most appropriate and effective actions at this time in order to secure compliance.
In this instance the mechanism for compliance should be identified via the BAT assessment and both Operators have provided interim reports indicating that a suitable final assessment will be delivered.
If further events occur that show negligence and/or repeated root causes, further action can be taken to secure compliance.
Under COMAH SEPA and the HSE co-ordinate the approach as the Competent Authority. SEPA focuses on the environmental aspects of incidents, although there is often an overlap with safety aspects considered under COMAH by the HSE.
Further information on COMAH is available on the Health and Safety Executive website.
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SEPA is currently undertaking air quality monitoring in the vicinity of the Mossmorran Complex. Following a consultation with community representatives, through the Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay Community Safety Liaison Committee, a trailer has been located at the farm to the North East of the complex and diffusion tubes will be placed in community locations.
SEPA Update on Environmental Monitoring Proposals in the vicinity of the Mossmorran Complex - as shared with the Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay Community Safety Liaison Committee
Information is being shared with the Independent Air Quality Review Group (including community representatives), Fife Council, NHS Fife and Health Protection Scotland.
A forward programme for environmental monitoring is being discussed with the Operators and partner organisations.
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Communicating with communities
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SEPA has worked within the limitations of communicating during a live regulatory investigation to keep local communities informed through:
- Mossmorran Communities Working Group;
Co-chaired by Lesley Laird MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath and Professor Wilson Sibbett from the University of St Andrews, the Mossmorran Communities Working Group allows elected members, community representatives, regulators and operators to discuss community-related issues and find solutions to them in the short, medium and long term.
These community liaison meetings are held once a quarter and are attended by local councillors, representatives from local community councils, SEPA, ExxonMobil Chemical Limited, Shell UK and Fife Council. The minutes of the meetings should be made publically available to members of local communities through community council meetings, local libraries and the Fife Direct webpage.
The Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay Independent Air Quality Monitoring (IAQM) Review Group is independently chaired by Professor Sibbett of St Andrews University. Members are appointed by Fife Council and include representatives from Fife Health Board, SEPA, Fife Council, the Institute of Occupational Medicine and community representatives. The Group meets twice per year and publishes an annual report which is available from the Fife Direct webpage .
The group advises Fife Council regarding the quality of ambient air associated with air emissions from operations at the Mossmorran plants and the Braefoot Bay terminal facilities. The Review Group liaises with representatives from community councils and the local health service.
Of particular relevance are issues relating to any health concerns raised by residents within the local communities and a key role is assisting with the communication of information relating to environmental air quality.
Updates are published online, as well as being proactively emailed to those who have signed up to the mailing list. Anyone who wishes sign up for the newsletter can do so online.
We will continue to work to keep good lines of communications open with appropriate groups and elected representatives to explain what we are doing, hear concerns and provide reassurances where we can.
We have committed to keeping the public informed through our dedicated Mossmorran hub, and anyone with concerns or queries not related to an ongoing pollution incident can email communities@sepa.org.uk during office hours.
Information about a potential or ongoing pollution incident (including flaring) should go to our 24 hour pollution hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or via sepa.org.uk/report. The earlier we know about a potential issue, and the more information we have, the better we can investigate.
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Further information
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), in addition to other public agencies, is jointly responsible for the regulation of ExxonMobil Chemical Limited and Shell UK Limited at Mossmorran.
This newsletter is part of SEPA’s commitment to update local communities on our formal regulation and review of unplanned flaring at the Mossmorran complex.
Further information on our investigation, our findings, our actions and next steps is available on SEPA’s dedicated Mossmorran hub at www.sepa.org.uk/mossmorran.
The hub also contains information on common questions including:
- Who SEPA is working with regarding Mossmorran.
- Information related to monitoring activity.
- Why the flaring occurs.
- What the constituents of the flare are.
- What restrictions are applied.
- Why smoke can be produced.
- Health impacts and other local factors.
For further questions, please email community@sepa.org.uk - this account is monitored weekdays during office hours only.
Thank you, and remember SEPA’s 24 Hour Pollution Hotline is available on 0800 807 060 and is available to report environmental incidents, with information on how and what to report at www.sepa.org.uk/contact/
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