DURING the recent flaring at Mossmorran SEPA have been continuing their air monitoring in communities around the petro-chemical complex.

Further to preparatory action overnight, ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd advised the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) mid-morning yesterday (Thursday), that the Fife Ethylene Plant had successfully been fully shut down.

Multi-agency partners including SEPA, Fife Council, NHS Fife, Health Protection Scotland, Police Scotland and others met on Thursday afternoon to assess the situation caused by a failure in two of the plant's three boilers which meant that not enough steam was being produced to allow production to continue.

ExxonMobil advised that the plant is expected to remain in shutdown for four weeks whilst remedial maintenance is undertaken.

SEPA has continued its deployment of air quality and noise monitoring at locations in Lochgelly, Auchtertool and Donibristle for public reassurance.

Said a SEPA spokesperson: "Monitoring continues to demonstrate air quality in line with expectations of controlled flaring events.

"SEPA has published a summary monitoring report on its Mossmorran hub".

SEPA confirmed on Thursday they will fully investigate the current flaring incident and SEPA will issue an update on its ongoing regulatory investigation into the incident earlier this year, with clear timelines for completion of that investigation.

In addition, today SEPA will give directions to the company on its ‘Best Available Techniques’ (BAT) Assessment. This will be followed by a significant announcement next week which will drive flaring mitigation investment at the facility.

SEPA will provide regular updates across its Mossmorran hub, sepa.org.uk/mossmorran. Reports of pollution can be made via SEPA’s online reporting tool, available 24/7, sepa.org.uk/report.

Meanwhile ExxonMobil confirmed that its team safely completed the temporary shut-down of the operation.

Said External Affiars Manager at Mossmorran, Stuart Neill: "The steps implemented ensured that this process was completed without any reportable smoky flaring.

"We will provide further updates to you as our maintenance work advances. We apologise for any concern caused and thank communities for their patience".