Buncefield issue still burning in Brussels

Vicky Ford, Conservative MEP for Hertfordshire, urged members of the European Parliament from all across Europe not to forget the lessons of Buncefield.  Taking part in a major debate on Europe's future gas storage capacity Vicky quizzed industry experts and academics on how the safety of local residents should be prioritised when planning future storage facilities for both oil and gas.

Vicky explained,

"In the UK there is a need for more gas storage. We have only 16 days worth of gas stored whilst Germany has enough for 73 days of consumption and France has enough for 91 days.  However, local people are concerned about safety.  The explosion that occurred at the Buncefield oil depot in 2005 resulted in the largest fire in Western Europe since World War II.  There were no fatalities but it could have been far worse.  Just round the M25 in Essex there are 45,000 people living close to a gas terminal on Canvey Island with only one exit route; they deserve to know that their safety is being taken into account."

In response to Vicky's question Mr. Kramer, chairman of Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), agreed that this is a vital issue.  He told MEPs that the track record of Europe's gas companies is excellent but they must remain vigilant and continue to maintain high standards of safety. 

Prof. Dr. Marc Oliver Bettzüge, director of the Research Institute for Energy Economics at Cologne University, added that there should be European standards for maintenance and safety levels of gas storage facilities.  He also explained that in some European countries gas can be stored underground in natural caverns.  Europe is considering creating a better network of gas pipelines so that in the future it may be possible for British people to share these underground stores.

Vicky concluded,

"We cannot afford to be 'NIMBY' but we must try to make sure that sites are put in the safest possible places."

Back to all posts