Flaring by oil major Shell from its Corrib gas plant was met with concern by residents in Mayo just a couple of days after the company announced first gas.
Last month it was announced natural gas had started to flow from the Corrib field in Ireland after final approval was confirmed by the Government.
Shell had sent a text message to residents who had subscribed to the alert system.
It said the valves which control the well out of the Corrib field had been opened up, with flaring to be expected over the 48 hours.
According to the Irish Times, Shell had acknowledged the level of flaring from the gas plant was “exceptional”.
A spokesman said: “As the start-up process continues, there may be further intermittent flaring activity in the coming days.
“This will not be at the same level and we will take all measures to minimise any flaring occurrences.”
The flaring or burning off of flammable gas is activated if there is a pressure rise within the plant, or a confirmed fire of gas release.
Watch video of the flaring below.
Residents in the areas around Ballinaboy have witnessed flaring since November 2014, when there was testing of the system with gas from the existing network.
Diane Taylor, a resident in Glengad, described the view of flaring from her home as “frightening”.
She told the Irish Time she would not normally have a view from her home.
The resident described the sky as “pure orange” and said she could smell smoke for about45 minutes.
Meanwhile a farmer, who lives nearby to the Ballinaboy plant, said the sight of the flaring had “lit up the sky.”
Oil major Shell said six wells have been drilled with gas transported to the Bellanboy Bridge Gas Terminal in north-west Mayo through a 20 inch pipeline.
The gas is processed at Bellanaboy before it is transferred into the Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) network, which delivers it to Irish gas consumers.
Andy Brown, Shell’s Upstream international director, said: “Today’s announcement is a positive step for our gas portfolio“It is also good news for Ireland as the provision of Corrib gas
improves security of supply for the Irish energy market. Delivering gas from Corrib will bring many long term benefits to the Irish economy and consumers.”