Oikos' upgrade faces opposition

UK-based storage operator Oikos has revealed it is to upgrade its fuel terminal on Canvey Island, facing opposition from campaigners.

The terminal has yet to hold its forward strategy meeting, so is unable to reveal any further details.

Campaigners against the project, The People Against Methane Group, believe there are not enough emergency services facilities on the island to deal with any potential accidents at the site.

When contacted by Tank Storage magazine, Oikos said it did not want to get involved in whether or not the island had adequate facilities for the upgrade, as that was the community’s responsibility.

A spokesperson for the Oikos says: ‘It is for the Essex County Fire and Rescue Authority to determine their best deployment of resources, taking account of circumstances across the area, and it is not appropriate for Oikos to comment.’

Last week, Oikos applied to the Castle Point Borough Council to store ‘hazardous substances’ within the facility but its spokesperson said the substance was not methane.

Two years ago, Oikos was told by the Environment Agency that it needed to improve its equipment because it was old.

The terminal is now fully compliant with the Environment Agency’s requirements listed in its Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations report.

The Oikos spokesperson adds: ‘The real point is to prevent incidents in the first place which is why our focus is on ensuring that our facilities and procedures reflect industry best practise.’