ENFORCEMENT action is being considered against the company responsible for the flaring incidents at Mossmorran.

And the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) said this could include ExxonMobil being prosecuted in the courts.

SEPA issued a newsletter with an update on their investigation into various incidents at the chemical plant, including "prolonged flaring" in June and an "extended shutdown" last month.

It stated: "With SEPA's review and investigation into ExxonMobil Chemical Ltd now in advanced stages, SEPA will now move to consider its enforcement action against the company, and will do so in accordance with our enforcement policy, with options ranging from enforcement notices requiring defined actions, restrictions to the site's permit to operate or the submission of a report to the procurator fiscal or their consideration of prosecution.

"Whilst currently restricted in what we are able to communicate at this time, to avoid any prejudice to any potential enforcement action, SEPA will openly notify community stakeholders in relation to our enforcement decisions as soon as this is possible."

The news follows on from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's intervention last week when, in reply to questions on Mossmorran, she said: "I will request a full explanation from SEPA as to the findings of their investigation as it is a serious matter which needs to be properly and transparently resolved."

Thick black plumes of smoke filled the air in June after two incidents at the Fife Ethylene Plant, ran by ExxonMobil.

NHS Fife said residents had complained of symptoms related to the flaring, such as “breathing difficulties, irritated eyes and even disturbed sleep”.

Flaring – the burning of excess or waste gas – is an essential part of the plant’s safety systems. There were “scores of complaints” about the incidents and concerns were raised at a public meeting in July.

There was then a "controlled shutdown" that began on October 27 with flaring until the evening of October 30.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart raised the issue with Ms Sturgeon in the Scottish Parliament last week and said that the flaring at Mossmorran had been "causing anger, distress and upset amongst many residents".

He had added: "The flare which lights up the sky with a horrible pulsating orange glow, can be seen from as far away as Angus.

"The night sky has been turned to daylight for many in, Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath and Kelty, causing anxiety, sleeplessness and distress amongst young children and animals.

"Day after day, residents have had to endure unwelcome noise pollution and vibrations. Not to mention the negative impact it is having on air quality and the environment."

SEPA are jointly responsible, along with other public agencies, for the regulation of ExxonMobil and Shell UK at Mossmorran.

They said the newsletter was part of their commitment to update local communities on regulation, the "ongoing formal investigation and review of potential enforcement".

SEPA said the investigation included "impact statements from the community and stakeholders affected, to establish the experience of people living locally".

Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing said a response from Terry A’Hearn, chief executive officer at SEPA, had indicated a "welcome change of heart" over monitoring of the plant.

She said: “Mr A’Hearn informed me that following the most recent flaring event and an earlier incident in June, SEPA will be reviewing their arrangement for monitoring these events, both proactively and reactively.

"He also states that SEPA will be reviewing the monitoring being undertaken by the company and may require them to undertake additional monitoring."

She said ExxonMobil's incident report into the latest flaring incident would be publicly available.

The MSP added: "What local people want to see is a scientific assessment of the environment – including noise and health impacts that flaring might have.

"This reply suggests that we are moving closer to that but we need to keep the pressure up. I am pleased to note the intention of SEPA to engage with the local community to inform their view as to what is required and I trust that they will follow through on this commitment in a meaningful way.”