THE Shell Fife Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant at Mossmorran, will continue to process following the temporary shutdown of the neighbouring Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP).

In the last few days, the flow of product that goes to the NGL plant in the gas supply system from the North Sea, has been reduced in order that Shell can stop the supply of ethane to the Fife Ethylene Plant while it is not operating over a four week spell.

There will be some low volume flaring from the NGL plant due to the situation, said NGL plant boss Teresa Waddington: "Due to these unusual circumstances, there have been occasional, short periods of minutes of low volume flaring in the Fife NGL plant’s elevated flare. The Fife NGL ground flares have also been in use.

"Looking ahead to the period during which FEP remains shut down, currently estimated to be four weeks, I expect this pattern to continue, regrettably, as we manage the situation.

"This means there are likely to be occasional, short periods of flaring in the elevated flare stacks on site. And due to the absence of steam from FEP, which would allow for clean combustion, this could be smoky for short periods. We have informed the regulator SEPA of this, and they are aware of the unusual situation.

"I’d like to emphasise that the elevated flaring will not be continuous during the FEP shutdown period, and that we aim to minimise it. We will prioritise use of the Fife NGL ground flares, which are less visible than the elevated flare stacks, so as to minimise the impact on the community.

I apologise for any inconvenience or concern caused by this flaring. Please rest assured that there is no risk to the local community".

Ms Waddington also stressed: "The importance of us continuing to process Natural Gas Liquids at the Fife NGL plant is to maintain the supply of energy products on which thousands of communities regionally and nationally depend. Key is how the plant enables methane gas to be taken off at the St Fergus Gas Plant.

"St Fergus supplies gas to the National Grid for homes for cooking gas, as well as to gas-generated power plants that produce electricity across the country. Fife NGL supplies, for example, the propane gas that is distributed to off-grid users such as homes and other users in remote locations in Fife and beyond."