Greenpeace welcomes the "Scientific Group on Decommissioning" report read the press release.
Visit our Ken Saro Wiwa page for information on Shell in Nigeria
Shell systematically polluted Aquifer in Turkey read the press release and Greenpeace Summary
Page last updated 22nd May 1996
Visit our Ken Saro Wiwa page for information on Shell in Nigeria
Shell systematically polluted Aquifer in Turkey read the press release and Greenpeace Summary
Page last updated 22nd May 1996
On 16 February last year, Greenpeace learned that the UK government had granted permission for Shell Oil to dump a huge, heavily contaminated oil installation, the 4,000 tonne Brent Spar, into the North Atlantic despite it being loaded with toxic and radioactive sludge. Dumping operations, just west of Ireland and Scotland, were expected to begin in May. Greenpeace went into action with plans to take over and occupy the rig to prevent the dumping. More than two dozen activists from six North Sea countries pulled operations together. Video and photo staff were called upon to document the Brent Spar platform and the occupation. The Moby Dick delivered activists to the platform and remained in the area to provide back up. Following eviction by Shell, Greenpeace activists re-occupied the Brent Spar and continued to protest Shells plans.
Ironically, the planned Shell dump came just one month before North Sea environment ministers were due to meet in Denmark in June to discuss measures to eliminate the discharge of hazardous substances from all sources into the North Sea and the marine environment. Greenpeace believes that if this platform were to be dumped at sea, with some 400 others at work in the North Sea alone, this would have set a dangerous precedent. At the Oslo and Paris Commission (OSPARCOM) meeting, 11 out of 13 countries agreed a moratorium on the dumping of offshore installations, pending agreement on a outright ban.
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Read the diary and press releases of the Greenpeace occupation of the Brent Spar including photographs and sounds....from April 29th until July 20th...Or look at the Photodiary
Click for map giving more information about the Brent Spar platform
Click for links to Shell US's web site and other Shell related links.
Click to go to North Sea Environment and Action Photo Gallery.
Decide for yourself
Read Shell's documents on the Brent Spar Abandonment....
...and read Greenpeace's response...
...then...
Read an account of September 8th meeting with Greenpeace where shell reaffirms it's decision to dipose on land.
..and...
Read the first independent inventory of the contents of Brent Spar by DNV (October 18th).
Read the report - "An Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of Decommissioning Options For Oil and Gas Structures in the UK North Sea"- written by AURIS Environmental commissioned by UK Offshore Operators Association was published in December and states that the best environmental option for decommissioned oil installations is to bring them on shore for recycling.
...and then mail your comments to Dr Helen Wallace if you wish (please enter "Brent Spar debate" in the subject field)
...further reading....
This page is still under development Page editor is:
Jim@comms.greenpeace.org You can mail him here.This is an archive page from 1996. For a summary of the Brent Spar victory, please visit the current Greenpeace website.