Oil giants Shell have been fined a total of £266,681 after admitting blame for an accident in which 20 tonnes of explosive gas was released into the air. Isobutane was mixed with toxic hydrogen fluoride when it escaped from a corroded pipe at the HF Alkylation Plant, in Ellesmere Port in 2003. Shell pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Chester Crown Court of failing to comply with the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations SI 1999/743, a breach which was described by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a "major incident."
The court heard that the gas dispersed without causing injury, but had it exploded there would have been multiple casualties. Judge Roger Dutton said in his ruling that a fine of £400,000 would have been appropriate if Shell had not pleaded guilty. The company have since invested £5.5 million on improvements to the plant as a result of the incident.
Speaking after the sentencing, HSE inspector Alan Graham said, "This was a major incident which placed many company employees and others at risk from an escape of a flammable toxic gas. Although there was no ignition on this occasion, in different circumstances there could have been an explosion. The gas escape was caused by Shell's failure to properly inspect and maintain the pipe. This failure caused a jet of gas, which formed a cloud, and was seen to drift 10 to 15 metres above the plant until it eventually dispersed."
The general manager of the plant Yuri Sebregts responded by saying, "Changes have been made to the plant and procedures to make sure the problem will not re-occur. Nevertheless we regret the incident and the learning from it has been noted and shared with other producers."
