Energy / LPA upbeat after securing major role in Rosebank development
LERWICK Harbour is set to be the main marine support hub for Norwegian company Equinor’s first phase of developing the Rosebank oil and gas field, Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) confirmed on Wednesday.
The LPA’s chief executive Calum Grains said Rosebank was “another significant opportunity” for Shetland to continue serving the energy sector.
The subsea production systems, umbilicals, risers and flowlines manufactured for the development will be delivered, stored and mobilised at the deep-water port.
Contractor TechnipFMC is responsible for integrated engineering, procurement, installation and construction for Rosebank.
Local companies will support Equinor and its contractors through various work scopes, Capt Grains continued saying.
“We are perfectly positioned to support this project, both in proximity to the field, bringing savings in sailing times, fuel and emissions, and minimising vessel turnaround time, and with our ready-made facilities, including extensive quaysides and laydown,” he said.
“The Rosebank development is an excellent example of how the offshore industry is implementing measures to counter climate change with lowest emissions possible while helping to secure the UK’s energy supplies enroute to net zero.”
However, environmental campaigners as well as the government’s own climate change committee have condemned the approval of Rosebank as it would undermine the UK’s own climate targets.
Equinor and its British partner Ithaca Energy are set to invest 3.8 billion US dollars in developing Rosebank, which is located around 130 kilometres northwest of Shetland and is the largest untapped reserve in UK waters.
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