Potential boost for Sullom Voe as new gas field is discovered

Sullom Voe may be poised for a further boost after the discovery of a new gas field to the west of Shetland. As yet the size of the find beneath the Glenlivet well has not been determined, but it is within 10 miles of the pipeline system planned by Total to link in to the terminal.

The announcement, by Aberdeen-based Faroe Petroleum, an independent firm that focuses on exploration and appraisal of fields in the Atlantic, the North Sea and Norway, and its partner Dong EP, comes after Total said last week it was taking over the Tobermory gas field 110 miles north-west of Shetland.

Graham Stewart, chief executive of Faroe Petroleum, said: “We are very pleased to report the successful outcome of this strategically important exploration well.  Glenlivet is Faroe’s first Atlantic margin discovery and confirms the presence of a significant accumulation of hydrocarbons in a high quality reservoir.  We look forward to providing a further update on the results of the Glenlivet well analysis in the near future.”

He said the fact that it was near the proposed Laggan development meant there was a strong possibility it would be linked in to the system if viable. The well was drilled in very deep water, 1,430ft, reaching a total depth of 7,654ft.

Further analysis of the results is underway and the drilling of a potential immediate side track well on the discovery is currently being evaluated by the partnership, with a decision expected in the next two days.

“While it is too early to assess the commerciality of the discovery, if proved to be commercial, Glenlivet could become a significant part of the planned new UK west of Shetland gas gathering system for which the Total-operated Laggan gas field is the focal point.”