1. Introduction and Pipeline Legislation
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1. INTRODUCTION AND PIPELINE LEGISLATION Introduction 1.1. Bord Gáis Eireann propose to construct a new pipeline between Beattock, Scotland and Gormanston, Ireland. The project is called ‘Scotland to Ireland – The Second Gas Interconnector.’ The pipeline will provide additional capacity to supply Ireland with natural gas from the North Sea and other international gas reserves via the existing Transco pipeline network. 1.2. The main elements of the project include an extension to Beattock Compressor Station, a new pipeline between Beattock and Brighouse, an extension to Brighouse Compressor Station and a new sub-sea pipeline between Brighouse and Gormanston. 1.3. This Environmental Statement examines the potential interaction between the Scottish Land Pipeline and the environment. The Scottish Land Pipeline will be constructed between Beattock and Brighouse. The land pipeline system will comprise a 36 inch (914mm) diameter pipeline approximately 50miles in length, and four Block Valve Stations (BV’s). The proposed pipeline route is shown in Figure 1.2. Background 1.4. Bord Gáis Eireann and the Irish Department of Public Enterprise initiated a project called Gas 2025 in November 1997, to plan the possible need for further transmission pipelines to meet forecast growth in demand to the year 2025. 1.5. In Ireland, gas is sourced from the Kinsale Head Gas Field off the south east coast, and the existing Interconnector pipeline. The Kinsale Head Gas Field is now in final depletion, placing increasing importance on the Interconnector pipeline. This first Interconnector pipeline was constructed in 1993 and runs from Beattock in Dumfries and Galloway, through to Loughshinny in Ireland. Forecasts show that by 2002 the existing infrastructure will be nearing full capacity, and additional supplies will be required. 1.6. The Gas 2025 report considered various options to secure additional gas supplies. These included: · Reinforcement of existing infrastructure (Reinforcement) · Duplicating the existing Scotland-Ireland Interconnector (UK1) · Interconnector from Moffat – Stranraer - Belfast - Dublin area (UK2) · Interconnector from North Wales to the Dublin area (UK3) · Interconnector from South Wales to the Wexford area (UK4) Scottish Land Pipeline – Beattock to Brighouse Environmental Statement – Written Statement 1 - 1 Chapter 1. Introduction and Pipeline Legislation · Interconnector from Cumbria to the Dublin area * (UK5) · Interconnector from Brittany (France) to the Wexford area (FR1) · Liquefied Natural Gas imports by ship (LNG Cork & LNG Shannon) (* - covered in an addendum report) Figure 1.1 – Gas Supply Options 1.7. After consideration of their feasibility (both environmental and construction), security of supply and cost (both capital and operating) it was recommended that a second Scotland-Ireland Interconnector (UK 1) would provide the optimum system. 1.8. Consequently, and in order to transport natural gas, BGE (UK) Ltd is seeking formal approval to construct a new gas pipeline system between Beattock and Gromanston, north of Dublin. 1.9. BGE (UK) Ltd currently operates the existing Interconnector pipeline and compressor stations at both Beattock and Brighouse. It is proposed that the compressor stations will be extended to cover future operating and maintenance facilities required by the new pipeline system. These proposals and associated facilities are covered under separate environmental statements and planning applications. 1.10. High pressure gas will be taken from the Transco National Transmission System (NTS) adjacent to BGE (UK) Ltd’s Beattock compressor station facility that lies 3.7miles / 6kms south of Moffat between the M74 and A701(T). It is proposed to construct a 36” diameter welded steel underground pipeline to Brighouse Compressor Station. The proposed land pipeline route between Beattock and Brighouse is provisionally 50.3miles / 80.9kms long. Scottish Land Pipeline – Beattock to Brighouse Environmental Statement – Written Statement 1 - 2 Chapter 1. Introduction and Pipeline Legislation 1.11. A further pipeline will connect Brighouse Compressor Station with a new landfall site at Ross Bay, some 1km to the south. From here a sub-sea pipeline will be laid across the Irish Sea to the Irish landfall at Gormanston. The proposed landfall and sub-sea pipeline are covered under a separate environmental statement and planning applications. Figure 1.2 –Scottish Land Pipeline – Beattock to Brighouse Route Map A 7 6 2 0 7 A MOFFAT BEATTOCK BEATTOCK COMPRESSOR STATION THORNHILL ) M ( 4 7 A A 2 0 7 7 6 A 1 70 A 3 1 7 A LOCHMABEN 2 1 7 0 A 0 Dumfries and Galloway 7 A LOCHARBRIGGS LOCKERBIE 9 0 7 A A7 12 A 7 A 12 7 1 3 A7 5 DUMFRIES E A T 7 U 5 O R E IN L E IP P 9 0 A D 7 7 E A 6 S 2 O P O R P 5 7 A CASTLE DOUGLAS A 7 DALBEATTIE 4 5 0 1 7 A 5 A7 KIRKCUDBRIGHT SILLOTH H RT A I 71 F 1 Y BRIGHOUSE A W COMPRESSOR OL STATION S COPYRIGHT©PENSPEN LTD 2000 1.12. The proposed pipeline route is shown in greater detail on maps in the Addendum of Drawings that accompanies this Environmental Statement (Written Statement). Alternative Means of Transporting Gas 1.13. It is possible to transport fuel in other modes, i.e. transportation by boat, barge, freight train and lorry. These alternative methods offer some advantages, Scottish Land Pipeline – Beattock to Brighouse Environmental Statement – Written Statement 1 - 3 Chapter 1. Introduction and Pipeline Legislation particularly for local delivery of solid fuel, bottled gas, and petroleum to filling stations. However, they cannot be compared with a welded steel underground pipeline for the purpose of conveying gas from one country to another. Once the pipeline has been laid deep in the ground and the land restored to its normal condition, it will provide a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly means of transporting high pressure natural gas across the land with negligible impact. Alternative Gas Connections 1.14. Alternative gas connections and other pipeline routes have been considered during the preceding feasibility phase of this project (as stated in 1.5). A summary comparison table is offered as Table 1.1. Table 1.1 – Results of Option Study Scheme No. of Feasibility Security of Supply Ranking in Gas terms of Sources Overall Cost Reinforcement 1 Not Viable Low Not Viable UK1 1 Good Medium 1 UK2 1 Good Medium 3 UK3 1 Medium Medium 2 UK4 1 Medium Medium 4 UK5 * 1 Good Medium 2nd ** FR1 2 Good Good 7 LNG Cork 2 Good Good 5 LNG Shannon 2 Good Good 6 (* - covered under in an addendum report ** - only rated against UK1) The Gas Pipeline System 1.15. The overall "Gas Pipeline System" will consist of the following main elements: · Beattock Compressor Station, · Scottish Land Pipeline – Beattock to Brighouse, · Brighouse Compressor Station, · Sub-sea pipeline, and · Connection with Irish transmission system and Pressure Reduction Station. Beattock Compressor Station 1.16. The new compressor facilities will be adjacent to the existing BGE (UK) Ltd facility at Beattock. It will be inside the existing fenced compound, and house the Transco “hot-tap” connection, a number of valves, above ground pipework, and a hard- standing area on which a "pig launcher" will be placed [a description of a pig is given in the Glossary]. This site will also house meters to measure gas consumption, filters and compressors. To minimise the Offtake's visual impact on the surrounding agricultural landscape it is proposed to plant screening vegetation around the perimeter of the site. Scottish Land Pipeline – Beattock to Brighouse Environmental Statement – Written Statement 1 - 4 Chapter 1. Introduction and Pipeline Legislation Scottish Land Pipeline – Beattock to Brighouse 1.17. This will comprise approximately 81km of continuously welded high grade steel pipe of 36 inch diameter, incorporating 4 no. intermediate block valve stations. The route is contained wholly within the Dumfries and Galloway Council area and will cross 8 main rivers, 7 ‘A’ classified roads, 1 railway and 45 other roads. Brighouse Compressor Station 1.18. The new compressor facilities will be adjacent to the existing Brighouse Compressor Station. The site will be extended to house additional equipment and will share facilities with the existing site. The function of the Compressor Station (CS) is to increase the pressure of the in-coming gas supply to the required level to feed into the sub-sea pipeline. The site will also incorporate pig launching and receiving facilities and associated pipework. Sub-sea Pipeline 1.19. This will comprise of approximately 192kms of continuously welded high grade steel pipe of 30 inch diameter. It will start at Brighouse CS and run down to Ross Bay, 1 km to the south. From here it will be laid under the Irish Sea to a landfall in Ireland at Gormanston, north of Dublin. Under consideration at present is the installation of a “Tee” connection for the Isle of Man. Connection with Irish Transmission System 1.20. The pipeline will join the transmission system in Ireland near Gormanston 500m from the landfall facility. A new pressure reduction station will be required at the interconnection point to regulate the pressure of the gas entering the Irish system. Regulatory Background Legislation 1.21. In accordance with the Pipe-lines Act 1962, a Pipeline Construction Authorisation (PCA) application has been submitted to the Scottish Executive for approval to build the cross-country pipeline system. The PCA application must satisfy certain criteria as set out in Section 1 of the Pipe-lines Act 1962. 1.22. The relevant Council, i.e. Dumfries and Galloway, will act as major consultee. Ancillary works associated with the Offtake and Reception facilities but not functionally as part of the gas pipeline system, i.e. buildings, access road, new vegetation screening around the sites, security fencing and control kiosk(s) will require local planning permission under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as will the four block valve sites along the pipeline route.