Shell UK has announced radical plans to turn its controversial Brent Spar oil storage terminal into a roll-on roll-off ferry quay.

The proposal, which could cost up to £26m, is being touted as the best solution for the redundant concrete hulk, currently moored in a Norwegian Fiord.

But Shell stressed the decision is not a precedent for future disposals, dashing the hopes of Greenpeace and other environmental groups.

The idea is to use huge slices of the Spar's hull for the project, at Maetjarvik, near Stravanger, in Norway.

If the plans are accepted by the UK Government it will put to rest long-running concerns of environmentalists about the fate of the giant terminal.

Simon Reddy, of Greenpeace, says ocean disposal is outmoded

Three years ago Shell was forced into an embarrassing climbdown after its plans to dump the structure in the north Atlantic came under serious attack from the green lobby.

Sinking the platform would have cost just £5m, but Greenpeace claimed it would be an environmental catastrophe, and launched an all-out offensive by occupying the disused terminal.

The Brent Spar reaches deep below the water surface

The idea to recycle the 14,500-tonne Brent Spar was one of six, other than dumping at sea, considered by Shell and the company sees it as the best possible environmental option.

The hull will be slowly lifted out of the water and sliced into five clean sections. These will be slid onto a barge and transported to a harbour where they will form the base of a quayside for ferry services.

Shell said it believes its plans will be backed by the UK Government.

Heinz Rothermund of Shell announced the plan

Heinz Rothermund, Managing Director of Shell UK Exploration and Production, said: "Our [plan] was to find a solution that on balance would be at least as good as, or better than, deep sea disposal.

"We believe we have achieved what we set out to do.

"This is consistent with the UK Government's new policy which is to bring installations onshore and we expect it to be confirmed at the next Oslo and Paris commission meeting in July, which will consider banning dumping of installations for ever."

Under the plan, the hull would be lifted and cut into five slices

Greenpeace spokesman Simon Reddy said if the Brent Spar had been sunk it could have set a precedent for the fate of other oil platforms at sea.

"Ocean disposal is an outmoded form of waste management and it has to stop. We sincerely hope that this will set a precedent," said Mr Reddy.

For 19 years Brent Spar, a concrete pillar, was used as a storage tank for crude oil, moored on the bed of the North Sea, 250 miles off Aberdeen, Scotland.

Shell's plans will be watched closely by other oil companies who must, sooner or later, decide how to dispose of the 60 large oil platforms remaining in the North Sea.
 

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