Mossmorran start-up delayed for four weeks
Published 12 Oct 2012 16:00
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The start-up of Fife Ethylene Plant at Mossmorran has been postponed for around four weeks after a leak was discovered.
The minor leak is located within the Cold Box - a large steel structure which contains heat exchangers operating at very low temperatures.
The structure is filled with perlite insulation and is maintained under a nitrogen atmosphere to keep the equipment safe and dry.
A ExxonMobil spokesman said, "There is no cause for concern. The leak does not pose a risk to the plant's workforce, the community or the local environment.
"In order to facilitate a repair in a safe and controlled manner we will need to shutdown a large part of the plant to empty the perlite insulation from the Cold Box to allow safe access to the equipment to execute the repair.
"During this repair there will be periods of elevated flaring. We apologise if we cause any inconvenience or concern to our neighbours. The flare is an essential part of the plant's safety systems and at no time will there be any danger to local communities or the workforce."
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