Work starts on new pipeline which will offer gas more direct export route

WORK has started on a new pipeline in the area around Sullom Voe Terminal which will streamline how gas from some west of Shetland fields reaches the Scottish mainland.

The 1.25km link to the SIRGE pipeline means that gas from fields like Clair would no longer need to be piped offshore to a field east of Shetland, as it does at the moment, giving it a more direct route to market.

BP’s North Sea senior vice president Doris Reiter said: “We’re pleased to see work start on this important piece of energy infrastructure designed to help support UK security of supply and establish an additional export route for West of Shetland gas.”

In September the Clair joint venture – involving BP, Shell, Harbour Energy and Chevron – decided to proceed with the construction and operation of the pipeline.

Once completed, the pipeline will connect the existing gas sweetening facilities at Sullom Voe Terminal with the SIRGE pipeline.

The SIRGE pipeline helps to take gas from the Shetland Gas Plant to the St. Fergus Gas Terminal near Peterhead.

In addition to creating an additional export route for gas from the Clair field, the new pipeline is being sized to accommodate gas production from other West of Shetland developments, the company said.