OnTheWight always welcomes a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below.
This from P Abbott, Shanklin shares his response to the Exxonmobil Solent CO2 Pipeline Proposal consultation as an open letter. Ed
Dear Exxon Mobil,
Response to your route proposal as requested:
1. Population risk: Carbon dioxide is a heavier than air gas that does not support life. Direct risk to human life from suffocation in any CO2 pipeline rupture event is very high, as escaped carbon dioxide is heavier than air, forming lethal gas areas, as proven at the 1986, Lake Nyos (pictured) natural CO2 escape: (“which suffocated 1746 people and 3500 livestock in nearby towns and villages, the most notable one being Chah, which was abandoned after the incident. The limnic eruption not only devastated human and livestock populations but also had a profound impact on the diverse aquatic life, including tilapia, crabs, snails, and frogs” – source Wikipedia) .
2. Geologic fracture risk: Exxon Mobil proposal is to place a pressurized CO2 pipeline, through an area clearly experiencing active unpredictable geological fracture, in the largest single constituency block in the United Kingdom, represented by two MPs. The area population is significantly higher in Summer resort periods seasonally, so exposure risk for Exxon Mobil in event of fracture is higher than resident population figures indicate. As recently as December 2023, a major chalk collapse happened here with loss of houses and road closure, displacing an estimated 11 hectares of land and 14 million cubic meters of material in one collapse. Additionally, along the coastline, sand and chalk cliff falls and erosion are constant.
Geologic fractures will risk pipeline breach
No matter how good pipeline engineering is, unpredictable geologic fractures will risk pipeline breach with lethal heavier than air gas escape across a populated area. It is proven that such unpredictable fractures do happen here.
A proposal to use Isle of Wight, UK, geologic corridors as pressurized CO2 routing, creates a high risk to populations here, and to Exxon Mobil liability and image, and should be abandoned for these reasons.
IW route proposals are high risk
I think the Isle of Wight route proposals are high risk to this UK population and could also become an Exxon Mobil Dallas Corporate liability and PR concern.
Thank you for your invitation to engage in your route evaluation process.
Have your say
You can find out more about the Solent CO2 Pipeline project by visiting the website.
You can provide feedback via the project website. Alternatively, have your say by email: [email protected]
Or send by post to: Solent CO2 Pipeline Project, 1180 Eskdale Road, Winnersh, Wokingham, RG41 5TU | UK
The deadline is 6pm on Monday 30th September 2024.
