MANAGEMENT at the Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) has today confirmed that its delayed £140m investment project, including installation of a new noise-reducing elevated flare tip, is on schedule to begin in April 2021.

The COVID-19 global pandemic directly impacted the resourcing and delivery of materials and equipment, as well as the movement of key personnel to safely execute the major project, requiring the original schedule to fully be revised.

The revised date will reduce flaring required to undertake the project by aligning with scheduled projects and maintenance in the North Sea, limiting any environmental impact.

The date also reflects the fact that this work in the North Sea – from where the plant takes its ethane feed - cannot be conducted during winter months when the need for domestic gas supplies is at its highest.

Jacob McAlister, Fife Ethylene Plant Manager, said: “We want to update our host communities that we are on schedule to begin our work in April.

“Our commitment is to the health and safety of our employees, contractors and host communities and, therefore, our processes comply with all laws and regulations.

“This project is part of our long-standing plant investment cycle and there is no cost saving as a result of the adjusted project timeline.’’

The investment will also see the installation of a new elevated flare tip, which will help to reduce the noise and vibration that can sometimes be associated with the use of the elevated flare.

Mr McAlister added: “We know our communities are particularly interested in the new flare tip and have asked why this can’t be installed on its own.

“In order to properly complete the installation, flaring will occur prior to the work and upon re-start so we would want to do this only once alongside the other investment work – this is the right community and environmental decision.

“Furthermore, weighing in at almost 10 tonnes and fitted on a 100 metre tower, its installation requires a team of specialists and use of one of the country’s largest cranes, both of which are in high demand.

“We are working closely with regulators on this new schedule and we are committed to providing further updates to communities as our work on the project progresses.”