Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay

The Mossmorran complex is near Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly in Fife. It includes two main petrochemical facilities:

Fife Natural Gas Liquids (Fife NGL), operated by Shell U.K. Limited
Fife Ethylene Plant (FEP), operated by ExxonMobil Chemical Limited

These facilities form part of the UK’s petrochemical infrastructure. Products are exported via the nearby Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal.

What happens at the site

The Mossmorran complex processes natural gas into products used across the UK and internationally.

Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) are delivered from the St Fergus gas terminal
At the FNGL plant, they are separated into propane, ethane, butane and natural gasoline
Ethane is transferred to the FEP, where it is converted into ethylene using high-temperature processing

Products are then:

distributed across the UK via pipelines
exported via Braefoot Bay

The Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay facilities are subject to a comprehensive regulatory framework.

Aerial view of Mossmorran plant

(Image courtesy of SEPA)

Who regulates Mossmorran?

The site is regulated by:

Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which regulates major hazard safety
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), which regulates emissions to air, land and water

These organisations monitor performance, investigate incidents and take enforcement action where needed.

Air quality and environmental responsibilities

Different organisations have different responsibilities:

SEPA regulates emissions from the site and controls activities such as flaring
Fife Council has a legal duty to review and assess air quality across Fife

This includes:

monitoring local air quality
checking compliance with national air quality objectives
publishing reports

Current air quality position

Air quality in the Mossmorran area is regularly monitored and independently assessed.

Data is reviewed by the Air Quality Expert Advisory Group
Findings are reported annually through Fife Council
Current assessments show that air quality objectives are being met

Flaring events are regulated by SEPA.

Fife Council’s role

Fife Council provides oversight, independent review and coordination of local environmental and public health matters.

This includes:

reviewing air quality data and reports
advising elected members and committees
supporting community engagement
working with SEPA, Public Health Scotland and NHS Fife

Community oversight and governance

A formal structure is in place to ensure transparency and accountability.

Community and Safety Committee

This committee:

acts as the main forum for community concerns
receives reports from regulators, operators and advisory groups
oversees site performance

Expert Advisory Groups (EAGs)

Three specialist groups support the committee:

Air quality:

reviews monitoring data and independent analysis
advises on monitoring and interpretation
reports findings to the committee and Fife Council

Noise, light and vibration:

reviews monitoring and mitigation arrangements
works alongside SEPA’s regulatory role

Communications:

supports clear and consistent public information
improves communication during incidents

Together, these groups provide independent scrutiny, technical advice and public transparency.

Incidents and public information

During events such as flaring:

SEPA regulates site operations
monitoring data is reviewed to assess environmental and public health impacts

You can report environmental concerns to SEPA’s 24-hour Pollution Hotline on 0800 807 060.

Reports and meetings

Find reports and meeting notes for Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay. We publish information from the last 2 years.

To request older reports or meeting notes, email air.quality@fife.gov.uk

Air Quality Expert Advisory Group action points are included within Community and Safety Committee meeting notes.

The latest Air Quality Expert Advisory Group report is the 2025 Annual Report.

Community and safety committee meetings

View recent Community and Safety Committee meeting notes.

Community and safety committee constitution and terms of reference