Corrib Gas Project

SHELL :CORRIB GAS PROJECT

THANK YOU!

SHELL: CORRIB GAS PROJECT

Economic Benefit vs. Ethical Implications

CONCLUSION

PRINCIPLES & CONCEPTS

Megan Costa

Sajiv Mahendran

Jerome Paul

Leigh Shim

Brad Seo

LESSONS LEARNED

Collect mandatory statistics

Pressure statistics

Demographics to see how community would be affected

ENGAGE IN COMMUNICATION

Shell should communicated more with the community

Allowing community to see how each step in the plan is processed

This will allow Shell & community to be on better terms

3) DEONTOLOGY-CONSEQUENTIALISM-UTILITARIANISM

Ethical actions lead to ethical consequences

Shell providing more good than harm?

4) BENEFICENCE-NONMALEFICENCE

Is Shell helping community or helping themselves?

Is Shell doing more good than harm?

5) PUBLICITY TEST

Would Shell be able to answer the tough questions

Ignoring community concerns

Misrepresented information

1) REVERSIBILITY TEST

Shell Company

The Government

Outsiders in support of the project

2) RESPONSIBILITY PRINCIPLE

Would Shell Company take responsibility for gas leaks, accidents, mishaps, mistakes?

Would blame fall on smaller gas companies, government, community protest?

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS

SIGNIFICANCE

AGENDA

RECOMMENDATIONS-ETHICS EDUCATION

Shell employees must be accountable & responsible

Revision of code of conduct & ethics

Ethics is applied from top level management to every other employee

Ethics Education implemented in the workforce

EXPLOITATION

Big Companies vs. Small Communities

ECONOMIC BENEFITS VS. ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS

Government of Ireland vs. Mayo County

LIVES OF PEOPLE, WILDLIFE, ENVIRONMENT

Health concern, Safety concern, Environmental issue

TIME TO PUT A STOP: RAISE AWARENESS!!

SIGNIFICANCE

CASE BACKGROUND

ETHICAL DILEMMA/ISSUES

SOCIAL IMPACT

DEBATES

PRINCIPLES & CONCEPTS

CONCLUSION

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS

CASE BACKGROUND

DISCOVERY NATURAL GAS FIELD, 1996

Found by local gas company Enterprise Oil

Erris Head Mayo County, North-Eastern Ireland

PROJECTED TO SAVE IREALAND FROM RECESSION

Account for 60% of Ireland’s annual needs

SHELL IMMEDIATELY PURCHASED GAS FIELD

Partnered with two other local gas companies

LEAD TO CREATION OF CORRIB GAS PROJECT

Offshore/Onshore pipeline

Onshore terminal

Offshore infrastructure

SOCIAL IMPACT

CASE BACKGROUND

DEBATES

ETHICAL DILEMMA/ISSUES

Community felt sense of hopelessness

The project would bring damage to land

Environmental, Health, Safety concerns

Economic Benefits > Ethical Impact

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

Toxic emission killing wildlife

Water discharge

Damage to sea creatures

Disrupts food chain

Pollute water supply for community

Water becomes unusable, undrinkable

PROTEST GROUPS FORMED

1) Shell Ad Campaign

Campaign group right out of Mayo County

Main concern health and safety of residents

Open discussion panel to challenge Shell & raise global awareness

2) Rossport Five

Five “patriotic” men fighting against Corrib Gas Project

Jailed on June 29th, 2005 for efforts

Authored book: “The Rossport Five: The Truth by the men in their own words

PEOPLE OF MAYO COUNTY WERE ECSTATIC

Rebuild of a more modernized community

Job opportunities

Community economic growth

SHELL REPORT REVEALED CONTROVERSY

Effected water discharge

Pipelines being built under community

Toxic emission release killing wildlife (sea creatures)

Corrosive chemicals would cause harm to residents

ETHICAL DILEMMA/ISSUES

DEBATES

ETHICAL DILEMMA/ISSUES

SHELL REASSURANCE

Best available technology was utilized

Environmental practice followed ISO 14000 standards

Environmental Management Plans were set up

EU practices & standards were followed

PUBLIC OPINION

MANY PEOPLE FAVOURED THE PROJECT

Economic Benefits > Ethical Implications

CORRIB GAS PROJECT CREATES:

Job Creation: 700 contract jobs, 100 permanent jobs

Economic Benefits: Country’s GDP increase by 3 Billion Euros

RECOMMEND PROJECT TO BE FOLLOWED CLOSELY:

Pollution Prevention & Control License Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Environmental Safety Board

External Gas Companies: Bord Gais Eiremann

Local Community Groups: Irish Farmers Association (IFA)

Government Intervention

SAFETY/HEALTH CONCERNS

Pipeline being built close to proximity

Gas emissions have effect on human health

Evacuation may be a problem:

Many elderly and young children residing in community

Pipeline pressure was questionable

Prone to a huge explosion (high pressure settings)

“The Corrib Gas Terminal will not adversely affect human health or the environment and will meet all relevant national and EU standards when operated in accordance with the conditions of the proposed license.” (Development of Corrib Gas Project, 2006)

Background photo by t.shigesa