New Forest District Council says more information is needed on ExxonMobil’s proposed Solent CO2 Pipeline Project from Fawley refinery

AN OIL giant planning to install a gas pipeline under the New Forest has provided “limited” information on the project, according to New Forest District Council.

As a result, NFDC has been unable to provide a recommendation on a preferred route.

As reported by the A&T, ExxonMobil has unveiled three proposed routes for the Solent CO2 Pipeline Project, pumping Fawley refinery’s captured carbon dioxide under the seabed off the Isle of Wight.

The 20-mile ‘mainland’ route cuts through the national park, while the others are 16 and 15 miles long respectively, running south from Fawley under the seabed and across the island.

The plans were due to be discussed at a meeting of the council’s place and sustainability overview and scrutiny panel on Thursday as part of the consultation for the scheme.

A report to members said the council was “grateful” for the opportunity to comment on the proposed pipeline corridor and “welcomed” the prospect of proactive further engagement in the coming months.

However, it added: “With the limited amount of engagement and information available to date, the council is not in a position to provide a recommendation on a preferred option at this stage, although note from the consultation website that the two routes to Isle of Wight have been identified as the preferred options.”

Officers working on the response have drafted a list of observations in its response which members are asked to approve, including confirmation on the need for the project, the rationale for the selection of corridors, and consideration of alternative route corridors – including those already discounted by ExxonMobil.

The council also wants more information on air quality, emissions, noise and vibration disturbance – including that associated with the construction, operation and decommissioning of the pipeline, along with more in-depth details on biodiversity and ecology impacts.

Design, landscape and visual impact details were also wanted to “ensure the development is sustainable and as attractive, durable and adaptable as it can be” alongside flood risk, coastal defence and climate change impacts.

The report adds the impact on socio-economic benefits and effects including the relationship to the Solent Freeport, together with the effects on the local economy during construction, alongside traffic and water quality.

All three of the proposals would involve the use of ‘open-cut installation’ on land, digging up 50-metre-wide areas to lay the pipeline. Where the pipe intersects with rivers or rail lines, engineers would use ‘horizontal directional drilling’ or ‘microtunnelling’ techniques.

The project would take up to three years to complete and require the installation of some fenced structures above ground, including pipe inspection gauge or ‘pigging’ stations.

The public consultation runs until 30th September. Feedback can be given at solentco2pipeline.co.uk