Dispute delays Corrib pipeline

DELAYS on the controversial Corrib gas pipeline mean the project will not be operational before 2008, Norwegian oil giant Statoil said yesterday.

The company, which is working in partnership with Shell on the gas field project off the Co Mayo coast, said production would kick in a year behind schedule.

“We have estimated the start-up in 2008, the earlier plan was 2007,” said chief executive Helge Lund, who was speaking after the company released third-quarter results yesterday.