Twenty six years old Lars Wagner, a German national and hydraulic technician employed by Herrenknecht on the Corrib Gas project at Aughoose was tragically killed in an accident in the tunnel on 8 September. His death is a severe loss to his family, his colleagues in Herrenknecht, the BAM Civil/Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau AG joint venture and the overall Corrib project team.

Although Lars was new to the Erris community, the tragedy evoked a considerable outpouring of sympathy. A special service of remembrance, presided over by Fr Michael Nallen PP, assisted by Canon Neal O’Raw (Church of Ireland, Crossmolina) and Fr Seán Noone, was well attended by his colleagues, project representatives and the local community.

Corrib Project Director, Roeland Borsboom, paid tribute to Lars after the service. “Everyone who works on the Corrib project was deeply affected by Lar’s death. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the Wagner family.”

“Many of us were present at the dignified and moving service of remembrance in Aughoose church where, along with members of the local community, we were able to pay tribute to Lars as a friend and colleague.”

A joint investigation into the accident was carried out by Shell and BAM Civil/Wayss and Freitag Ingenieurbau AG. Their findings have been reported to the Health and Safety Authority.

In addition to the progress made to conclude work packages at the Terminal, a central element of the Corrib gas project workscope for 2013 was the construction of the onshore pipeline. This work includes the construction of a landfall valve installation (LVI) at the Glengad site, the tunnel reception pit, and approx 3 km of pipeline connecting the Aughoose site to the terminal at Bellanaboy.

An environmentally and technically challenging piece of engineering - crossing under the Leenamore river estuary - was successfully carried out in early August (see page 3)- paving the way for the continuation of the pipeline and the laying of the control umbilical to the terminal.

The final weld on the pipeline connecting to the terminal was completed 14 November. The laying of the umbilical coincided with the pipeline construction and work is underway to reinstate the wayleave. Mechanical testing of the pipeline from Aughoose will take place before Christmas.

At the Glengad landfall site, the reception pit which will receive the tunnel boring machine next summer, was completed towards the end of October well ahead of its December completion date. The construction of the LVI, together with associated works, has also progressed well and these works will be close to completion by year’s end. Mechanical testing of all the pipework in the LVI was successfully completed in the past few months.

Michael Crothers, Managing Director SEPIL, expressed satisfaction with progress made to date. “At the start of the year we set challenging targets with a programme of work in excess of €300 million and a workforce of up to 1,350. I’m happy to say that much of what we set out to achieve both on and offshore has been satisfactorily delivered to very exacting standards,” he added.

Aughoose to Terminal Pipeline Completed

SEPIL will submit a new application for a review of its Integrated Pollution Prevention & Control (IPPC) licence for Bellanaboy gas terminal in early 2014. This follows the decision by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in October not to contest a judicial review case brought by Martin Harrington in the High Court.

In 2007 the EPA granted an IPPC licence for the operation of the terminal following a lengthy determination process which included an oral hearing. The IPPC licence is a licence which regulates the emissions arising from the terminal during its operation, including emissions to air, to surface waters and also noise. The 2007 licence included the discharge of treated produced water (which is naturally occurring water coming into the terminal in the gas stream) at an outfall point outside Broadhaven Bay, approximately two km off Erris Head.

Following discussions with local fishermen in 2008, the Corrib Gas Partners agreed to move the location of this discharge to the Corrib Field, 83km offshore. In March 2010 SEPIL applied to the EPA for a review of the 2007 IPPC licence and to move the discharge of treated produced water to the Corrib subsea manifold location in 350m water depth. The application also included some minor changes to emission limit values and monitoring arrangements on the Bellanaboy site.

In June 2013, the EPA completed their determination of SEPIL’s IPPC licence review application and granted a revised licence. However, on 31st July Mr Harrington applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the decision, claiming that the EPA had not followed the correct process in reaching its decision. On October 15th last, the EPA’s decision to grant the licence was quashed by an Order of the High Court after the EPA decided to concede the case.

Resulting from this, SEPIL is now preparing a new review application, which will be lodged in early 2014. This new application will include an updated Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is being compiled by environmental consultants RSK.

In this regard, SEPIL is now consulting with the relevant statutory bodies, and are also inviting the public, including members of the local community, to submit observations or comments should they have concerns in relation to the emissions from the terminal and want to see these concerns dealt with in the EIS. Should you wish to provide any comments in relation to the EIS in advance of SEPIL’s re-application being submitted, please write to RSK c/o Shell E&P Ireland, Unit 4 Údarás na Gaeltachta Industrial Estate, Belmullet before close of business Tuesday 17 December 2013, or by email to info@corribgas.com

There will also be an opportunity for the public to make submissions to the EPA during their public consultation process, which will be announced once the EPA has received the application, and are satisfied that all the necessary information has been provided by SEPIL.

The licensing regime for industrial emissions in the EU has recently undergone change, and the IPPC licence for the terminal will in the future be an Industrial Emissions Licence. The EPA is currently reviewing existing IPPC licences, and will be transferring these into the Industrial Emissions Licensing regime early in the new year.

A new application for review of IPPC licence to be submitted

issue 42. WiNTeR 2013Corrib GAS UPDATENollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh

Death of Lars Wagner

Ar dheis lámh De to raibh a anam dílis

News in brief

The recently formed Belmullet Order of Malta received a major financial boost arising from the demand for tickets for the All-Ireland football final. Workers on the Corrib project contributed to the tune of €3,450 in the hope of securing one of ten tickets made available by Roadbridge.

Roadbridge representative, Sandra Barber, was on hand at the Shell Belmullet office,

along with Joanne Gaughan, one of the raffle organisers, to present the cheque to Order of Malta representative Stephen Cafferkey.

In the photo (Back l to r) are: Fiona Togher (Shell), P J Ruddy (Belmullet OM), Rosaleen Lally (Belmullet OM), Hughie Carey (Belmullet OM) and Alan Mee (Shell). Front: Sandra Barber (Roadbridge), Stephen Cafferkey, Joanne Gaughan (Shell).

Third Level scholarships awarded to sixteen Erris students

KILCOMMON continued Colaiste Chomáin, RossportKilcommon Activity for the ElderlyGlengad Village Enhancement SchemeInver Community Development ProjectScéim Fostaigchta Pobail Chill ChomáinGlenamoy Community Services Accessibility CommitteePorturlin/Shrataggle Community GroupGlenamoy Social ServicesTÚS, Mhaigh EoPullathomas Village Enhancement SchemeGlenamoy Community Angling AssociationInver Development GroupSeirbhisi Curam Cill ChomáinCoiste Óige Ghleann na MuaidhePullathomas Facilities Management LtdRossport Village Enhancement SchemeGreanny Village Enhancement Scheme

BELMULLETBelmullet Festival CommitteeBar-na-tra Community Enhancement CommitteeGlencastle Enhancement CommitteeNaionrai Beál an MhuirtheadGolden Gloves Boxing ClubBelmullet Neighbourhood Watch SchemeLakeside Sports CommitteeBelmullet Tidy Towns CommitteeBelmullet G.A.A. ClubBord na nÓg, BelmulletBelmullet Sports ComplexBelmullet Junior SchoolBelmullet Golf ClubShraigh National School

The recipients of the sixteen scholarships awarded under the Corrib Natural Gas 3rd Level Scholarship Programme (2013-2014) have been announced.

The following were awarded scholarships: Sabina Barrett, Binghamstown; Caitlin Brady, Pullathomas; Paul Carey, Killala; Jonathan Cosgrove, Bangor Erris; Martin Cosgrove, Muingmore, Bunnahowen; Bryan Deane, Corclough West; Michael Gallagher, Rossport; Padraic Gallagher, Kincon; Meghan Harte, Kincon; Rachel Lally, Tallagh, Belmullet; Oisin McGrath, Rossport; Colin McHale, Muingingaune, Barnatra; Jonathan Murphy, Corclough East; Hazel O’Connor, Seaside, Belmullet; Serena Padden, Tallagh, Belmullet, and Molly Sidiakina, Barrack Street, Belmullet.

Under new arrangements introduced for the current cycle, sixteen scholarships, each valued at €2,000 per year of the selected course were awarded.

Announcing the scholarship recipients, Seán Staunton, Chairman of the Scholarship Board, said the members had decided that it would be beneficial to spread the scholarships over a bigger number of students even if that was to result in a reduction in the amount of the award.

“This year we invited the applicants to come together to write their essays on the theme: “Ireland and the EU – a valued and worthwhile relationship?” It proved to be a worthwhile exercise and we got an understanding from the students of how much they appreciated the scholarship. There was general agreement that increasing the number of awards was a positive move,” he said.

Mary Carolan (Shell), Tony McGarry (Scholarship Board), Sean Staunton (Chairman, Scholarship Board), Christy Loftus (Secretary, Scholarships Board), Fiona Togher (Shell) at the announcement of the 16 winning applications.

94 Organisations benefit under Local Grants Programme 2013A total of 129 applications were received to the 2013 Local Grants Programme (LGP). After careful evaluation against our three key criteria of being local to Erris, sustainable, and inclusive, grant awards of between €250 and €5,000 were made to 94 organisations.

Of these, 23 were in the parish of Kilcommon, receiving a total allocation of funding of €90,000. Fifteen were in the parish of Belmullet with a total allocation of funding of €25,400; 14 were in Kilmore receiving a total allocation of €24,500; 11 were in Kiltane receiving a total allocation of €18,000; 3 were in Ballycroy receiving a total allocation of €6,500, and 28 were Erris wide organisations receiving a total allocation of €65,740).

Claggan Island Rural Social Scheme

KILTANEBangor Hibs Football ClubGeesala Tidy Towns CommitteeLower Owenmore River Development AssociationAttawalla Residents CommitteeBangor Erris Active Retirement GroupBangor Erris National SchoolGeesala National SchoolGeesala Boxing ClubBangor Childrens CentreBangor Erris Tidy Towns CommitteeCairde le Cheile

KILMOREKilmore Rural Social SchemeAchda Glaisin National SchoolCorclough National SchoolKilmore Erris National SchoolNaíonra na hEachléimKilmore Football ClubEachléim Tidy Towns CommitteeCarne/Shanahee Senior Citizens OrganisationC.F. Ionad Deirbhile, EachléimKilmore Ladies Football ClubComharcumann Naíonrai Cois Fharraige Teo, DrumCarne Heritage Restoration CommitteeTermoncarragh Development CommitteeClub Óige na Cille Mora, Eachléim

BALLYCROYBallycroy Community Field Management CommitteeBallycroy Community CentreBallycroy Village Enhancement Scheme

ERRIS WIDE/ MISCBelmullet Rose eventErris BeoIorras DomhnannBelmullet Erris Lions ClubCara IorrasIrish Association of Supported EmploymentKillala Diocesan Invalid Pilgrimmage to Lourdes (Erris)Irish Wheelchair Association (Erris branch)Cumann Iomamacocht IorrasErris Rugby Football ClubMayo Water Safety Area Committee (for projects in Erris region)Erris Chamber of CommerceRNLI (for projects in Erris region)Football Association of Ireland (for Erris based projects)Erris Mens ShedErris Womens GroupOur Ladys Secondary SchoolWestern Care Association (Erris branch)Erris Heartbeat Defibrillator CommitteeErris Darts LeagueJohnny Giles Foundation (Erris based grassroots projects)St Patricks College, Lacken-CrossRiver Moy Search and Rescue ServicePieta House West fundraising initiativeBord Na Mona/ESB Commemorative CommitteeMayo League International Super Cup CompetitionWhistleblast Quartet Music Project (Erris based)Mayo Cancer Support Association

KILCOMMON Cornboy Utd F.C. Parents Council, Pullathomas National SchoolInver National SchoolGlenamoy Womens GroupChill Chomáin G.A.A. ClubChill Chomáin Bord na nÓg

BELMULLET ORDER OF MALTA RECEIVE FOOTBALL FINAL TICKETS BOOST

Crossing the Leenamore – an environmental and technical success

The Leenamore inlet crossing – completed in August - and the construction of the section of pipeline that traverses recovered eroded bog has been the site of some of the most thoughtful environmental management undertaken on the Corrib project.

The Corrib pipeline was installed under the Leenamore river, which feeds into Sruwaddacon Bay. The success of the crossing was down to detailed analysis and planning. It involved careful removal and storage of habitat such as cobbles, benthic material and saltmarsh (this had not ever been undertaken before). The work was carried out during the summer season minimise disturbance to the small river and ensure a successful outcome.

Consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (and previously Dúchas) on the environmental aspects of the Corrib project began more than a decade ago. SEPIL (Shell E&P Ireland Limited) provided a commitment to reinstate the area affected by construction for the benefit of the natural habitats and wildlife.

To fulfil this commitment and to minimise the impact on biodiversity, the SEPIL team, in close collaboration with the various contractors, developed innovative construction methodologies. These methodologies have been adapted for working in wetlands and peatlands in sensitive areas such as Special Areas of Conservations and Special Protection Areas.

Extensive ecological surveys have been undertaken, which have provided information on the faunal presence and usage. A specialist vegetation working group has been established, consisting of experts in peatland vegetation and its rehabilitation.

An extensive programme of offshore activity came to a conclusion November 9 when the Neptun 10 completed its programme of rock placement over the offshore pipeline.

The offshore scope included a critical piece of work – the laying of the offshore umbilical – and was successfully concluded. This involved the pull-in of the umbilical to the Glengad landfall valve installation and the laying of the 83km long umbilical to the field by the North Sea Giant.

Protective concrete “mattresses” and rock was also placed around the umbilical.

Other work included the completion of the Ocean Bottom Cable seismic survey which started in 2012 and, following a break, last winter, recommenced in February and concluded in June. The preliminary results were presented by Shell at the 5th annual Atlantic Ireland Conference and Exhibition, held on 11 November, in Dublin. This is the first time an OBC seismic survey was carried out in Irish waters.

The section of pipeline laying alongside the services umbilical under the river bed

Salt marsh turves replaced on the reinstated crossing.

BELMULLET ORDER OF MALTA RECEIVE FOOTBALL FINAL TICKETS BOOST

Over 2,500 people attended the Mayo Science and Technology Exhibition 2013 which was held in St Mary’s Hall on the GMIT Castlebar campus. Among the exhibitors was Corrib Natural Gas who had Deirdre Cavanagh-Walsh, Mary Carolan, Bridie Conway and Paul Kieran attending at the stand.

The final weld as the Aughoose section of the onshore pipeline connects to the terminal. L to r Glen Brennan, Ken Walsh (both Murphy’s), Brendan Moyles, Kieran McMorland (both SEPIL), Wolf Probst (Terminal Manager), Donnacha Keating (Murphy’s), Brendan Kieran (SEPIL) and Michael Dolan (Roadbridge)

Dragon’s Den investor Gavin Duffy addressed a large crowd at the launch of Erris Enterprise Week (EEW) in Áras Inish Gluaire. EEW is supported by the Corrib Natural Gas Development Fund and includes workshops on social media, marketing, entrepreneurial competitions with emphasis on young people and capacity building workshops.

2013 Corrib offshore work scope concluded

Professional Profile Henry Gaughan – Tunnel Locomotive Driver

at work and notice the advancement of the tunnel day by day. I’ve also got the opportunity to take part in a lot of training courses, which will hopefully stand to me in the future, and I am glad of the knowledge I have gained.

What do you see as the main challenges of your position?

There are many different challenges on a daily basis working in the tunnel such as transporting heavy loads in and out of the tunnel but my main focus is on supporting the safety of my colleagues and bringing the project to a successful conclusion

What advice would you give to anyone considering a career in the oil and gas industry?

I would strongly advise anyone with an interest in this industry to pursue a job in it. It is a great learning experience for anybody as there are so many aspects of the job and you learn something new everyday.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

My highlight to date has to be the arrival of the TBM Fionnuala to Aughoose, being involved in assembling the TBM and helping to put it together. I’m delighted to be part of the tunnelling team advancing towards the final stages of the Corrib Project.

What do you see yourself doing in five years time?

I would love to be able to say I will still be employed on the Corrib Project, but if not, with the experience I have gained I would like to get further employment in this area of work.

Name: Henry Gaughan

Job Title: Tunnel Locomotive Driver / G O

Native of: Ballyglass, Belmullet.

Where did you go to primary/secondary school?

Aughalasheen NS 1990 – 1998, St Brendan’s College Belmullet 1998 – 2003.

What was your first job?

Coming from a fishing background my first job was working as a deckhand on board the family fishing vessel MFV “ÁINE PATRICIA”. We went to sea for 6/7 days at a time. I found this a valuable experience for any young lad, as working all year round, in sometimes outrageous weather conditions, was a real test of team work for the crew, with safety taking priority at all times.

What interests/hobbies do you have outside work?

I have a keen interest in both gaelic football and soccer and I’m part of both local teams Béal Mhuirthead and Iorras Aontaithe. I was a member of the Mayo Minor Team in 2003. We lost to Kerry in the qualifiers. Also in 2003, I was captain of the

For more information contact: Christy Loftus, Corrib Project Information Office,Belmullet, County Mayo. Tel. 00 353 (0)97-27100

Cill Chomáin win county junior titleSunday 13 October was a red letter day for the Cill Chomáin GAA club when they overcame the odds and outclassed Ardnaree Sarsfields to win the county junior title.

The victory crowned a year of unprecedented success for the club which also saw them make their mark at

underage level by winning the county under 14 and under 16 championships and the under 15 county league.

The Cill Chomáin club has a close association with the Corrib project and seven of their panel of junior players work in various roles on elements of the

development. The seven are: Adrian Murphy, Derek

Moran, Rory Ginty, Declan Murphy, Alan Mills, Justin

Ruddy and Adrian Deane.

Congrats also to Kiltane on winning the Connacht

Intermediate title.

Corrib Natural Gas history makers. The Corrib Natural Gas football team played its first competitive game at MacHale Park on 21 November, when they scored a comprehensive

win over Hollister in the GAA Inter Firms competition. The team also registered a two point win (0-10 to 0-8) over the Mayo Teachers 26 November. Photo shows the entire panel of players along with team manager Colm McManamon (back right)

Mayo under 18 soccer team and we went on to win the provincial title. That same year I was called up for the under-18 Irish international squad but due to my Leaving Certificate, unfortunately, I was unable to commit. I’m also a member of the Ballyglass Coastguard Unit which plays a vital role in our coastal community.

What is your role on this project?

At present I’m working as a Locomotive Driver in the Corrib Tunnel at Aughoose. It’s my job to transport all workers in the tunnel at the beginning of shift and to make sure all materials (segements/grout/rails/pipes) are brought into the Tunnel safely throughout the day and on time.

What brought you to the Corrib project?

I always had a big interest in the Corrib project and first started working on the marine side of the project in 2008. I was part of the team which constructed the offshore and was involved in the survey work that took place in Sruwaddacon Bay. So I’m now delighted to be working in the tunnel on the final stage. Coming from the area it’s great to be able to work close to home and not have to travel abroad like so many young people today.

Had you ever envisaged a job as a locomotive driver in Erris?

I can’t say that being a locomotive driver was something that ever entered my head. However, when the opportunity arose, I was happy to take on the challenge.

What aspect of your current position do you most enjoy?

Recently I have started to work at the head of the TBM and I’m finding this enjoyable as it is a new experience for me. It’s a great feeling to be