New flare planned at Sullom Voe Terminal

PLANS have been lodged for a new flare system at Sullom Voe Terminal.

The flare stack would be used for new stabilisation infrastructure terminal operator EnQuest is planning to install to make the site more efficient amid decreased exports, and to help pave the way for new energy opportunities.

The new flare stack will be designed to avoid a continuous “hydrocarbon purge” and is said to be the best environmental solution.

A planning statement adds: “While the existing flare stack would be retained for other users, having dedicated flares for the two systems affords the opportunity for easier site segregation for new energy opportunities in future.”

The proposed new flare stack would be 40m in height, with the existing one 103m.

The existing flare would be used a lot less than it is at the moment, the terminal said.

The new stabilisation facilities are designed to include a seal to avoid the need for flaring under normal operating conditions.

“Consequently, with the proposed new flare system in place, there would be less flaring than there is at present across the SVT site as a whole,” the planning statement said.

As a result of this there is expected to be less carbon emissions from flaring at Sullom Voe Terminal.

Flaring is used to burn off excess gas and can be used in scenarios like planned maintenance and emergency shutdowns.

In 2022 around 25,000 tonnes of Carbon dioxide (CO2) were emitted through flaring at the terminal.