ALERT: Brent Spar Oil Rig Sinking
Tom Gray
GREENPEACE BRENT SPAR PROTEST IN THE NORTH SEA
STOP PRESS: SHELL BACKS DOWN AND ANNOUNCES THAT THEY WILL APPLY
TO DISMANTLE THE BRENT SPAR ON LAND
Click here to read Shell's press release announcing their decision
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IT HAS AN BEEN AN HONOUR TO WORK WITH YOU -
TOGETHER WE CAN PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT FROM UNNECESSARY DESTRUCTION
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Text of Shell UK Press Release issued at 17:49, 20 June 1995:
Shell UK Limited,
Shell-Mex House,
Strand,
LONDON WC2R 0DX
For immediate release: June 20 1995
BRENT SPAR
Shell U.K. Limited still believes that deep water disposal of the
Brent Spar is the best practicable environmental option, which was
supported by independent studies. Shell UK obtained the necessary
permit for disposal for the UK authorities, which have handled every
aspect of the approval process in accordance with established national
and international policies and standards.
As the disposal involved the Atlantic deep water, other governments
have taken an interest and voiced strong objections. Notwithstanding
the efforts to convince these governments of the validity of the
approach, most of them remain strongly against deep water disposal.
The European companies of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group find themselves
in an intenable position and feel that it is not possible to continue
without wider support from the governments participating in the
Oslo-Paris Convention.
Shell UK has decided to abandon deepwater disposal and seek from the
UK authoities a licence for onshore disposal. This application for
onshore disposal wil include a further review of methods to minimise
the risks involved.
The way forward will require the co-operation of all concerned, in
particular the support of other governments in securing the
availability of a deep water safe anchorage for Brent Spar in the
immediate future.
ENQUIRIES
Shell UK Media Relations 0171-257-3152/3333/3889/3100
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