Natural gas facility wants to store flammable liquids at existing site

Angus Energy has applied to Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) for hazardous substances consent for the storage of flammable liquids on land at Angus Energy B Site, Howdales, South Cockerington, near Louth.

The firm is seeking permission to store flammable liquids at an existing onshore gas production facility – which is often referred to as the Saltfleetby Gas Field.

The liquids would be used for separation, cooling and potential storage, before being transported to the National Transmissions Network.

Angus Energy has explained the steps that it proposes to take to reduce the risk of a ‘major accident’.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the company said: “Angus Energy already operates a major accident pipeline (offshore pipeline designed to transport dangerous fluids) with an associated safety case which incorporates the wider environmental management system and safety management system.

“Our management system starts with a high commitment to major accident hazard prevention and management.

“Routine maintenance, procedural processes, risk assessment and detailed hazard assessment provides layers of protection to prevent the likelihood of a major accident occurring.

“Competent operators manage the site and work to continually maintain safety of the facility.”

The spokesperson also said that, in the event of an incident, the company has plans in place to deal with this and tests these action plans regularly.

They added that the firm has adopted a ‘multi-agency approach’ with the relevant authorities and said it will engage with local residents to mitigate any risks.

LCC hasn’t raised any objections to the application at this stage but has not yet made a final decision.

Justine Robson, senior development management officer, said: “Having given due regard to the appropriate local and national planning policy guidance (in particular the National Planning Policy Framework), Lincolnshire County Council (as highway authority and lead local flood authority) has concluded that the proposed development would not be expected to have an unacceptable impact upon highway safety or a severe residual cumulative impact upon the local highway network or increase surface water flood risk and therefore does not wish to object to this planning application.”

The application is currently subject to a public consultation until May 8.

LCC will then assess the application and make a final decision at a later date.

The site extracts natural gas, which was brought back into production in August 2022 after being shut down in 2018.

It operates on-site processing facilities (including compression and a condensate stabilisation unit) to ensure the gas meets the necessary pressure and specifications for it to be exported to the national (gas) transmission system.

This is then transported to the local gas distribution networks that take gas into homes and businesses, as well as overseas via interconnectors.