Attention turns to advancing Tornado gas field after Jackdaw approval
ATTENTION is being turned to advancing a gas field west of Shetland after the approval of the Jackdaw development east of Aberdeen last week.
The Tornado field would tie-back to the existing Greater Laggan Area network infrastructure, and therefore connect to the Shetland Gas Plant (SGP).
Liquids, or condensates, would be removed and piped to Sullom Voe Terminal.
The Tornado discovery – around 153 kilometres west of Shetland – is jointly held by Adura and Ithaca, and consent for production has not yet been granted.
Adura is behind Jackdaw, which was approved by the UK Government last week, as well as the proposed Rosebank field to the north west of Shetland.
When confirming the go-ahead for Jackdaw the UK Government highlighted how it had previously been announced that new ‘transitional energy certificates’ will allow for some oil and gas production in already-explored areas that are near licensed fields, linked via a tie-back.
The Government added last week: “The government has therefore confirmed […] that it is asking the regulator to consider urgent cases that could benefit from similar measures now, before legislation on these new certificates is in place.
“This will ensure the sector can support existing oil and gas fields, while still preventing exploration in new unlicensed areas.”
When asked about the Tornado prospects given the UK Government position on tie-back projects, an Adura spokesperson said: “This week’s consent for Jackdaw is a clear and welcome sign that the regulatory process for oil and gas developments is again working as it should.
“At a time when energy security must be a priority for the UK Government, taking a pragmatic approach to using our existing reserves, rather than becoming increasingly reliant on imports, is both right and prudent.
“With Jackdaw now approved and ready to supply gas to British homes and businesses within weeks, attention turns to securing consent for Rosebank and advancing other undeveloped projects in our portfolio, such as Tornado.
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“Located West of Shetland, Tornado will tie-back to the existing Greater Laggan Area network infrastructure.
“Crucially, it offers another opportunity to bring more of our own gas resources into production, supporting the UK supply chain and reducing our reliance on imported gas.”
Shell’s Victory field, located 47km to the north west of Shetland, was the most recent new development to start sending gas to SGP, with the project started up last year.
SGP began processing gas from the Laggan and Tormore fields west of Shetland in 2016.
The decision to approve Jackdaw was criticised by climate campaigners, with the Uplift group saying it will “make no meaningful difference to UK energy security”.
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