Voluntary redundancy process underway at Sullom Voe Terminal

ENQUEST has begun a consultation process with its staff at Sullom Voe Terminal about voluntary redundancies in a bid to create a “sustainable” future for the facility.

It is understood that the terminal operator is looking to reduce full-time positions at the site by around 25 per cent.

EnQuest said the process is aligned with the “ongoing transformation” at Sullom Voe Terminal in the shift away from fossil fuels.

Over the years oil throughput at the terminal has declined, with EnQuest now looking to projects such as e-fuels and carbon capture/storage at the site.

Back in 2023 EnQuest also said it was planning to rework its processing facilities to make the infrastructure footprint smaller and reflect “substantially” reduced production rates.

A spokesperson said: “EnQuest confirms that it has begun a consultation process at the Sullom Voe Terminal (‘SVT’), with the aim of achieving the required workforce reduction through a voluntary process.

Advertisement2 of 9

“This process is aligned with the ongoing transformation of SVT, which has been designed to secure a long-term and sustainable future for the terminal, enabling continued operations until at least 2036.”

Research from the University of Strathclyde’s Centre for Energy Policy warned about the risk to jobs if a transition to projects like low-carbon fuels at the terminal was not achieved.

It was back in 1978 when the first barrel of oil came ashore at Sullom Voe Terminal from the Dunlin field via the Brent pipeline.

At its peak in the 1980s, the terminal was processing more than 1.5 million barrels of oil a day.

But today the throughput is much less; in 2024 for example the average number of barrels per day was 76,658.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:

• Removal of third-party ads;
• Bookmark posts to read later;
• Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
• Hide membership messages;
• Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.

One-time

Monthly

Quarterly

Yearly

£50

£75

£100

£125

Contribution More Options £150£200£250£300£350

£3

£5

£7

£10

Contribution More Options £15£20£25£30£35

£10

£15

£20

£25

Contribution More Options £30£35£40£45£50

£60

£80

£100

£120

Contribution More Options £140£160£180£200£220

Continue

Remind me later

Billing: Your monthly subscription of £10 will be billed on or shortly after the 1st of each month. You can change how much you pay or cancel at any time.