No end in sight

THE disused Brent Spar oil storage platform, whose possible disposal at seacaused a major storm last summer, hasyet to find a resting place. Shell, itsowner, has now come up with a planwhich includes several options to dismantle the rig at sea before being completely broken up on land.

Shell's initiative, which was madepublic on February 22, incorporates theprocess of breaking the rig piece bypiece while it remains in 'a vertical floating position, or else rotating it toremove large sections which can then beplaced on barges for its journey to theshore. Shell also wants that contractorsbidding for the disposal work considerthe option of recycling parts of the14,500 tonne contraption either as part of a harbour or as a fish ranch.

The company, however, has thedifficult task of first convincing thegovernment that such alternatives areviable and also favourably inclined tothe environment. It may be recalled thatShell's decision to dump the platform inthe North Sea in June '95, had severalenvironment groups including Green-peace, and many European countries,up in arms. Such was the furore createdthat Shell's oil and other products wereboycotted in Germany and UK.