N Sea Oilfields Must be Dismantled on Land

[the.greenbase@green2.greenpeace.org]

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Original-TO:      World Press (Green2:Green2:Gnl:INET)
Original-Cc:      The Greenbase (Green2:Green2:Gnl:Main)
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                   GREENPEACE PRESS RELEASE
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NORTH SEA OILFIELDS MUST BE DISMANTLED ON LAND: GREENPEACE
 
London--05 February 1996--In welcoming today's decision to
dismantle Shell's North Sea gas rig, the Leman BK, on land
Greenpeace today called on the UK Government to rule out
dumping at sea for all oil installations and abandon the so-
called "case by case" approach. 
 
"The issue at stake here is whether we live in a throwaway
society" says Greenpeace Campaign Director Chris Rose.  "The
public knows it is wrong to dump old cars in the village
pond -and it's wrong for the Government to let the oil
industry treat the sea as its rubbish dump. The UK Government
must rule out dumping at sea and abandon the so-called case-
by-case approach."  
Shell has confirmed it will dismantle the first of the deep
North Sea installations -- the Brent Spar -- on land.  In
Norway, contracts have now been let for the dismantling of the
North East Frigg field -- entirely on land.  Countries
surrounding the North East Atlantic last year banned the
dumping of oil installations at sea -- but the UK Government
would not sign onto the ban.   
"If, after his failed attempt to dump the Brent Spar, Mr Eggar
now licences the sinking of another platform, he will insult
British as well as international public opinion.  His "case by
case" policy has been rejected by the British and European
public and Greenpeace. The sea should be for saving - not for
dumping".  
Opinion Leader Research polled the British public in January
(1) and received a clear message from the public:  the sea
should not be used as a dumping ground. 
 
Greenpeace also pointed out that in December 1995 a report for
the oil industry group UKOOA (UK Offshore Operators
Association) noted that the `best environmental option' for
decommissioned steel installations is to bring them ashore

(2). A consultants report for Greenpeace found that over 95%
of the Brent Spar could be recycled (3). 
                             ends
 
Contact: Cindy Baxter Greenpeace Communications ++44 171 833
0600  
(1):  The poll, carried out by Opinion Leader Research in
January 1996 for Greenpeace and released today, shows that 74%
of British public aware of the Brent Spar controversy believes
that
Greenpeace should continue its campaign to stop dumping of oil
rigs. 57% believe that it should not have been dumped in the
Atlantic. 
 
2) "An Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of
Decommissioning Options for Oil and Gas Structures in the UK
North Sea", Prepared for UKOOA. Written by Auris
Environmental. Page 10-14
 
3) "A Case Study of  Onshore Decommissioning of North Sea Oil
Structures - The Brent Spar", commissioned by Greenpeace.
Written by Jay Rutovitz. Produced as evidence to the House of
Lords Trade and Industry Sub Committee on Decommissioning,
October 1995.

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