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Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay Complexes

Mossmorran is situated near Cowdenbeath, 20km north of Edinburgh. The Mossmorran complex consists of two neighbouring plants: the Fife Natural Gas Liquids (FNGL) Plant operated by Shell U.K. Limited and the Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP) operated by ExxonMobil Chemical Limited.

Latest update

Community Notice - Planned works at the Shell Fife NGL plant

Date published: 30 April 2025

The following community notice has been shared with SEPA regarding maintenance and planned use of flares.

"This week we begin a planned ‘Turnaround’ at the Shell Fife NGL plant. 

The Turnaround is an important activity for the maintenance of the plant so that we can continue to operate effectively to our safety standards and industry regulations.

In order for this work to be carried out safely we need to ensure the module is hydrocarbon free, which will require use of the flare system.

As usual, we will prioritise the use of the ground flares to minimise the impact on the community, but you may see occasional periods of low intensity flaring in the elevated stack between 1st and 4th May. We do not expect each period to be for more than a few hours.

We have informed the regulator SEPA of our intention.

Please contact us if you have any questions or comment. Our notices and contact details are also on the plant website.

Kind regards

Tyne Bradley, Plant Manager"

View previous updates

What we have done

We continue to monitor air quality and noise in community locations. Communities around the Mossmorran Complex are now able to see the air quality in their area in close to real time, with the launch of our new monitoring network.

It follows on from community participation in the design of a new air quality monitoring network, and a refreshed online regulatory hub designed to make it easier than ever to find information about our regulation of the Fife Natural Gas Liquids Plant and Fife Ethylene Plant. 

Find out more about our new monitoring network on our air quality monitoring page.

More information