Wind turbine lightning strike repaired

A local contractor has repaired a wind turbine blade at Burradale, Shetland, damaged by a lightning strike. Full story from The Shetland Times here: http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2013/12/18/turbine-blade-repaired-after-lightning-strike/

Call for isles energy summit early in new year

Scots energy secretary calls for Isles energy summit early in 2014. Full story from Shetland News here:
 http://www.shetnews.co.uk/features/scottish-independence-debate/7769-local-support-for-island-energy-summit

Ofgem delays proposed changes to transmission charges

Plans to reduce transmission charges for renewables electricity schemes in remote parts of Scotland have been delayed. BBC story here

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-25404350

Peterson SBS/Veolia to recover BP subsea gear from Schiehallion and Loyal to Shetland

The Shetland decommissioning partnership of Veolia and Peterson SBS has won the contract for recovery and decommissioning of BP's subsea equipment for the Schiehallion and Loyal Fields. Almost all the material will be recycled.

Full story from mrw.co.uk - here: http://www.mrw.co.uk/news/shetland-recovery-for-offshore-installation/8656436.article?blocktitle=Latest-news&contentID=2186

RWE Dea UK acquires licence shares for blocks west of Shetland

RWE Dea has signed an agreement to farm-in to Licences P1932 and P2074, which will allow the company to participate in the drilling of the Mustard prospect in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), West of Shetland. The well is planned to spud in 2015.

The UK subsidiary of German oil company RWE Dea AG is acquiring a share of 25% from Chrysaor CNS Limited in blocks 202/4, 202/5, 203/1a, 205/26c and 205/27. Mustard is an Upper Jurassic prospect located in the East Solan Basin in the UKCS West of Shetland.

"Mustard will fit perfectly into our expanding portfolio of North Sea and West of Shetland assets and we are looking forward to being part of this exciting opportunity," explains Dirk Schoene, Managing Director of RWE Dea UK. The licence area will build upon Licence P2018, which RWE Dea has been awarded in the UKCS 27th Offshore Licensing Round, and its acquisition of an interest in the Handcross prospect (Licences P1631 and P1832) in April 2013. A first exploration well at the Mustard prospect is planned to be drilled in 2015.

On the UK Continental Shelf, RWE Dea holds an attractive portfolio of producing, development and exploration assets in the Southern, the Central as well as in the Northern North Sea.

The farm-in agreement will be effective as of January 2013 subject to approval from Department of Energy & Climate Change of the UK Government.

Licensees P1932 and P2074:

• RWE Dea UK: 25%
• Chrysaor (operator): 75%

New Lerwick quay already open for business

The supply vessel Sea Trout was first to use the new berth

The high level of activity at Lerwick Harbour has meant the port’s latest deep-water quay  - the third new one in 21 months - being brought into use immediately on completion this week as part of an ongoing expansion of facilities.

The 100-metre Berth 7 at Greenhead Base provides an extension to a new 100-metre-plus quay added there in February 2012. Providing nine metres’ water depth, the two common-user quays service the oil and gas industry mainly.

Mair’s Quay, at 150 metres, completed this summer, will bring significant improvements in the fishing industry’s operations and provide the site for a replacement white fish market.

The three quays, at a total investment of £11.5 million, are part of a suite of quays and land reclamation consented in 2010, with the first contract award in December that year. Local contractor, Tulloch Developments, has successfully delivered the works on time and on budget, with design and supervision by Arch Henderson.

With three quays built within the last three years, the Authority is now turning its attention to its next capital projects as part of an ongoing investment plan.

Harbourmaster, Captain Calum Grains, said: “With the current high activity level, in the offshore sector in particular, and a positive outlook for the foreseeable future, the latest quay is a timely addition to our deep-water infrastructure. Development is ongoing to ensure we continue to meet new opportunities.”

Lerwick now has almost 4,000 metres of quay, including over 1,300 metres of deep-water berthing, following developments to accommodate larger vessels now operating. Investment of over £83 million by the Port Authority has taken place since the 1970s, much of it directed at the offshore industry.Additional laydown areas are being created and further deep-water berths are also in the pipeline.

Oilfield delays "may benefit Shetland's overheating economy" - Scott

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott has claimed that delays in developing the massive Rosebank oilfield off Shetland could actually benefit the local economy, according to a story in The Shetland News.

Delays and doubts announced over two oil developments off Shetland

In two separate announcements today, oil giant Chevron cast doubt on the viability of its $10bn Rosebank development west of Shetland, and Norwegian state company Statoil postponed $7bn of work on the Bressay field in the North Sea UK sector.

Chevron stated that Rosebank  “does not currently offer an economic value proposition that justifies proceeding with an investment of this magnitude", though it was still working with  partners OMV from Austria and Denmark's Dong Energy to make the project work economically. A final decision is expected next year.

Statoil is looking at simplified methods of extracting the Bressay field's heavily viscous oil. 

Both projects offer extreme technical challenges.

Read the full Chevron story courtesy of The Telegraph here, and about the Statoil announcement here, via Invezz.

New North Sea oilfield could bring many Shetland benefits

A £4 billion development in the North East Shetland Basin, the Kraken Field, has been given Government go-ahead and is likely to be a major source of business for Lerwick Port Authority. Full Shetland News story here.

Picture: Model and modules at Lerwick Harbour.

A traditional 'Shetland Model' boat at Lerwick with processing modules destined for the Laggan-Tormore gas plant at Sullom Voe in the background. The picture was taken as dusk began to fall.

A busy nine months at Lerwick Harbour

Increases in vessel arrivals and tonnage, as well as cargo, ferry passengers and fish landings

Activity in the oil and gas industry – both offshore and onshore – continues to be a driving force at Lerwick Harbour, with the latest traffic figures for the sector showing increases in the number and tonnage of vessels and in cargo handled this year.

In the first nine months of 2013, 534 offshore industry-related vessels used the deep-water port, an increase of 10%, with the tonnage up 42% at 3.1 million gross tonnes, compared to the same period in 2012. Cargo rose 28.5% to 137,958 tonnes.

Delivery of modules for the Shetland Gas Plant, under construction near the Sullom Voe oil terminal, contributed to the sector’s activity at Lerwick.

The total for all cargoes crossing the port’s near 4,000 metres of quays increased 15% to 856,800 tonnes. Vessel arrivals totalled 4,179, up 3%, with the tonnage of shipping ahead by 7.8% at 10.5 million gross tonnes.

The port’s capacity to handle large vessels is again reflected in the number of pilotage movements – at 1,168, up 12%, with the tonnage of vessels piloted rising 10% at 8.5 million gross tonnes.

There was a 6% increase to 107,069 in ferry passengers using the roll-on/roll-off service between Lerwick and Orkney and Aberdeen. Due to various factors affecting specific operators in the 2013 season, there was a forecast drop in cruise passengers – down 30% at 26,477. The total passenger figure, at 134,283, was reduced by 3%.

Between January and September, 44,512 tonnes of fish, worth £39.4 million, were landed, up 6% on volume and 17% on value. The 8,263 tonnes of white fish were valued at £12.6 million, an increase of 13% on volume and 4% on value, with the average price per tonne decreased by 8% to £1,533 per tonne. With less herring and more mackerel landed, the pelagic total was up 5% on volume and 26% on value, due to the higher proportion of mackerel.

Sandra Laurenson, Chief Executive, Lerwick Port Authority, commented: “2013 continues as a busy year, with growth across almost all sectors. The high level of activity by port users is backed by our ongoing development programme, with another deep-water quay due for completion in November.

“The recent grant of £515,315 from the European Regional Development Fund will help facilitate a £1.28 million project to create three new lay down areas, extending to 45,000 square metres and required to meet industry demand.”

Chevron's hi-tech surveys off Shetland - and how small is beautiful in energy developments

Chevron's Rosebank field west of Shetland, 9000 feet down, used 750 sea-bottom sensors in hi-tech solution to survey difficulties...and the future of energy development may lie in the hands of small, fast-moving, flexible companies.

Fascinating overview of how energy may develop in future from New York Times

 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/business/energy-environment/cracking-the-energy-puzzles-of-the-21st-century.html?pagewanted=1&_r=0

"Cracking the Energy Puzzles of the 21st Century"

Way now clear for major Lerwick port expansion

Lerwick Port Authority has been awarded more than £500,000 from the European Regional Development Fund to finance its new developments at the port. It will now be able to award a £1.3 million contract to local firm Tulloch Developments for major expansion at Rova Head.

Full story at Shetland News here: 

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/7512-european-boost-for-lerwick-harbour

Islands councils aim for seabed control

The 'Our Islands-Our Future' campaign is aiming to achieve more local control over seabed developments up to 12 miles offshore, according to Shetland Islands Council convener Gary Robinson.

Full story from Shetland News here: http://www.shetnews.co.uk/features/scottish-independence-debate/7484-seabed-ownership-the-ultimate-goal

February and March dates set for Viking Energy appeal

Dates have now been set for hearing the Scottish Government's appeal against Lady Clark's Judicial Review of the granting of planning permission for the Viking Energy windfarm. Three judges in the Inner House of the Court of Session will hear the appeal between 25 and 28 February and again from 4 to 7 March 2014.

Full story from Shetland News here: http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/7481-date-for-viking-wind-farm-appeal-set

Viking Energy windfarm planning permission: the legal situation

The judicial review of the Scottish government’s granting of planning permission for the Viking Energy windfarm development in Shetland, sought by local environmental protest group Sustainable Shetland, ruled last month that the permission should be withdrawn.

This was due, said Lady Clark in her judgement, to the fact that Schedule 9 in Section 36 of the Electricity Act Act 1989 required companies to obtain an electricity generating licence from Ofgem before applying to get consent for a project over 50MW. Viking Energy did not have this. She was also 'not satisfied' that the Scottish Government had complied with its obligations under the European 'Wild Birds Directive 2009'. 

The ruling  regarding the need for a generating licence has provoked major concern throughout the renewables industry and the legal profession regarding its possible impact on up to 32 previous permission granted to windfarm developments, none of which had generating licences.

The Scottish Government has  appealed Lady Clark’s decision. It is understood - although there is some disagreement on this - that this has the effect of setting the withdrawal of planning permission aside until the appeal process is concluded.

As this is an important issue for the future of renewable energy in Shetland, Power From The North here draws together a number of links to news stories, the full findings from Lady Clark, magazine articles and legal opinions on the decision and its implications.

Energy Live News 8 October 2013: ‘Shetland(s) ruling could deal blow to renewables in Scotland’ http://www.energylivenews.com/2013/10/08/shetlands-ruling-could-deal-blow-to-renewables-in-scotland/

Bond Dickinson (leading UK corporate law firm) 10 October 2013: ‘Court of Session Opinion departs from industry practice in Viking Energy decision’http://www.bonddickinson.com/insight/comment/court-session-opinion-departs-industry-practice-viking-energy-decision

Macroberts (Scottish legal firm) 7 October 2013: ‘Business will proceed as normal until outcome of appeal is known.’ http://www.macroberts.com/content/content_1998.html

Pinsent Masons (law firm) 26 September 2013: ‘Departure from industry practice’:http://www.out-law.com/en/articles/2013/september/viking-energy-decision-on-legality-of-section-36-planning-consent-a-departure-from-industry-practice-says-expert/

Shetland News 24 September 2013: ‘Judge rules against Viking windfarm’http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/7387-judge-rules-against-viking-wind-farm

Shetland Times 24 September 2013: ‘Sustainable Shetland ‘pleased’ as judge rules on Viking windfarm: http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2013/09/24/sustainable-shetland-pleased-as-judge-rules-on-viking-wind-farm

Ecologist Magazine 11 October 2013: ‘Winds of Change’http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2105601/the_winds_of_change.html

Guardian, 3 October 2013: "Ministers do not agree that the application was incompetent under schedule 9 of the Electricity Act, nor do they agree that they failed to take proper account of their obligations under the EU wild birds directive in the decision-making process." http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/03/shetland-windfarm-viking-project-setback

Full opinion by Lady Clark (133 pages): http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/opinions/2013CSOH158.html

$200m Sullom Voe project under Jacobs management

BP Exploration has awarded the four-year contract for Sullom Voe's maintenance, upkeep and improvement to  the Jacobs Group, one of the world's biggest  and most diverse providers of technical, professional, and construction services.

Jacobs will handle project management, engineering and construction for extensive fabric maintenance works, tankage and process unit turnarounds; plus additional projects focused on improving the condition and reliability of the terminal in anticipation of increased production demand that is expected to result from field development in the West of Shetland area.

Full story from The Wall Street Journal here.

Solar panels at Sumburgh

Shetland Islands Council's planning board will this week consider an application to install 48 ground-mounted solar panels at Sumburgh Head Lighthouse.

Full Shetland Times story here: http://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2013/09/30/sumburgh-head-solar-panel-plan

New Lerwick Power Station plans lodged

Plans for the new Lerwick Power Station, which will have an option to run on natural gas piped from the new gas plant at Sullom Voe, have been lodged with the Scottish Government.

Full story from The Shetland News here.

First barge load-in for Peterson since 2007

The arrival of three modules for decommissioning at Lerwick Harbour was 'significant', according to Peterson UK, and was  the company's first barge load-in at Lerwick since 2007.

Full story from Shetland News here.

Refreshed and updated Power From The North magazine now online and in print

A refreshed and updated version of Promote Shetland’s acclaimed Power From The North magazine has been published in print and online, timed to coincide with the Our Islands - Our Future conference in Orkney.

Power From The North showcases Shetland’s massive involvement in energy - both oil and gas and renewables such as wind, tidal and wave power. The enormous potential for development in all these areas is highlighted, from the fabrication of complex carbon fibre structures for wave power companies to the current oil and gas activity west of Shetland.

At a time when Shetland is seeing a boom in hydrocarbon-related activity, Power From The North is a timely reminder that the skills and resources developed in the isles since oil first came ashore can in the future be applied just as rewardingly in the renewables field.

“Shetland is a beautiful and wonderfully satisfying place for tourists to visit,” said Andy Steven of Promote Shetland. “But it is also a powerhouse for a range of industries in oil and gas and renewable electricity. It is crucial that we recognise the importance of this to the isles’ economic future. Power From The North is part of our strategic thinking, in partnership with local industry and other development agencies, on the areas of growth for Shetland over the next decade.”

The Power From The North project also includes this regularly updated blog and a Twitter feed.

Power From The North - the magazine: http://www.shetland.org/energy/shetland-energy-brochure-2013.pdf

Power From The North - the blog: http://powerfromthenorth.blogspot.co.uk/

Power From The North - on Twitter  @powernorth

Viking Energy welcomes Government pricing aid for isles electricity

The Government's announcement of a draft minimum price  of £115 per megawatt-hour for isles-generated renewable electricity is “a hugely positive step forwards”, according to Shetland windpower developer Viking Energy.

Full story from The Shetland News here.

£115 per MWh? Draft isles energy subsidy announcement

On the eve of both the Scottish Renewables Marine Conference and Exhibition in Inverness, and the Our Islands, Our Future event in Orkney, a draft minimum 'strike price' for renewable energy generated in the Scottish islands is announced by UK Government Energy Minister Ed Davey.

Full details from Shetland News here.

£1bn-plus of contracts awarded related to Schiehallion and Loyal fields

More than £1bn of contracts have been awarded to UK-based companies for the redevelopment of the Schiehallion and Loyal oil fields west of Shetland, according to operator BP .

Full BBC story here:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-24044962

New online Shetland Business Register live and open to entries

Shetland Islands Council has created a new online business register as a way of cataloguing the wide range and high quality of expertise, services and infrastructure that exists across Shetland all in one place. The register is now live and businesses can sign up athttp://move.shetland.org/shetland-business-register.

It will present Shetland’s industry, in a convenient and easily accessible way, to companies who may be involved in large-scale projects and are seeking local suppliers.

SIC’s Economic Development Service will also use it as a tool to let registered companies know about relevant business information including training opportunities and external funding sources.

Each registered business will receive a password to edit their individual profile and ensure their most up-to-date information is displayed.

The fully searchable database will be accessible to companies involved in large-scale projects via a password, which can be applied for through Economic Development. Anyone can access an overview of the business listing at http://move.shetland.org/shetland-businesses

Douglas Irvine, Executive Manager - Economic Development, says: “We expect that the new online register will become the first stop for companies looking to do business in Shetland, as well as a useful tool for local businesses to make the most of opportunities available to them.”

Shetland connected to Offshore Europe Exhibition

Shetland's connection to the wider world of energy developments is highlighted by the opening today of the Offshore Europe Conference and  Exhibition in Aberdeen.

Faroese Telecom/SHEFA, operators of the fibre-optic cable that provides Shetland with superfast broadband communications are at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, along with Lerwick Port Authority, Peterson SBS, ZE1 Global, and Shetland-connected companies such as Veolia Environmental Services and Enviroco.

Lerwick Port Authority's commitment to establishing the port as a centre for offshore decommissioning work under the 'Shetland Decommissioning' label is highlighted by their 'Lerwick Shetland' stand, where they are jointly exhibiting with AF Decom Offshore (UK), Veolia Environmental Services and Peterson SBS.

LATEST DEEP-WATER BERTH NEARS COMPLETION AT LERWICK HARBOUR

High activity and positive outlook reinforces ongoing investment

The expansion of Lerwick Harbour’s deep-water infrastructure continues, with another new berth becoming operational during November at the established Greenhead Base in a period of high activity by the oil and gas industry at the Shetland port.

Dredged to nine metres water depth, Greenhead Berth 7 will provide an additional 100 metres of quay, extending the 100 metres-plus Berth 6 which was brought into operation early to support a subsea installation contract in February 2012 and has been in constant use by various offshore contractors since.

The two quays, dredged to nine metres, cost £7.6 million. The Port Authority has invested more than £74 million since the 1960s, much of it recently aimed at developing deep-water capabilities. The port has almost 4,000 metres of quay, including over 1,300 metres of deep-water berthing following developments to accommodate larger vessels now operating.

The tonnage of oil-related shipping at Lerwick was up 26% in the first half of this year, compared to the same period in 2012, with cargo shipments up 42.5%.

Current activity east and west of Shetland includes support for offshore development and decommissioning projects. The port is also taking delivery of equipment for onward transport by sea and road to the Shetland Gas Plant, under construction near Sullom Voe, as well as accommodating workers on two floatels, with a third expected this month.

Lerwick Port Authority Chief Executive, Sandra Laurenson, said: “The high activity in support of the sector’s operations offshore and onshore means Berth 7 will come into use immediately it is available.

“The positive outlook for the foreseeable future underlines our proactive strategy for the continuing development of the port, with an anticipated capital spend of more than £20 million within the next two years.”

Schemes in the pipeline include additional sites for industry, more lay-down areas and further deep-water berths.

Ms Laurenson added: “Further ahead, the infrastructure for oil and gas closely matches likely requirements by the offshore renewables sector in any future northern North Sea developments and the Authority is providing assistance to enquiries on potential projects and possible test sites.”

New £3.2m quay in Lerwick completed

The new Mair's Quay in Lerwick has been completed and handed over to the Port Authority by the contractors.

Full story at The Shetland News here.

'Big increases in demand' for shipping services

The shipping company Streamline is benefitting from major increases in demand for its services to and from Shetland, due to increased oil and gas activity, says a report in The Herald.

Link to the story: http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/streamline-benefits-from-shetland-oil-and-gas-investment.21810763

New life for Baltasound Airport? And Lerwick Harbour gets busier and busier

Chevron has confirmed it is looking into the possible reopening of the mothballed Baltasound Airport in Unst to service its Rosebank oil and gas development, according to this Shetland News story:

http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/7163-chevron-to-check-out-baltasound-airport


And at Lerwick Port Authority, it's a story of larger vessels, more cargo, and investment in new quays and infrastructure paying off over the past six months

Improved access and expanded deep-water facilities at the Port of Lerwick continues to deliver results, with larger vessels handling increased cargo in the first half of the year. There were 2512 vessel arrivals in the six months to June, three fewer than in the same period in 2012, with tonnage of shipping up 9% to 6.1 million gross tonnes, including 1.8 million gross tonnes of oil-related shipping, a rise of 26%. The 705 pilotage movements were up 14%, with the 4.5 million gross tonnes of vessels piloted also increased by 14%.

Cargo across the port’s near 4,000 metres of quays rose by 18% to 530,285 tonnes including oilrelated shipments higher by 42.5% at 93,063 tonnes. Support for offshore projects and shipments of equipment for the construction of the Shetland Gas Plant, near Sullom Voe, and its onward transportation by sea and road, were a feature of the period's activity.

Lerwick Port Authority Deputy Chief Executive, Victor Sandison, said: “The port handled virtually the same number of vessels, but significantly more cargo, underlining the value of ongoing investment in expanded facilities, including deep-water quays, which accommodate larger vessels, as reflected again in the tonnage of shipping this year.

“Two additional quays will be completed in the second half of the year, further expanding the infrastructure, and other developments are in the pipeline.”

Passengers using the port increased by 1% to 69,248, due to a 5% rise in ferry traffic and despite
a forecast fall in cruise passengers, down 16%, due to factors affecting specific operators.
Fish landings totalled 27,765 tonnes,  valued at £26.7 million – up 44% on volume and 40% on
value. The 5,538 tonnes of white fish were valued at £8.1 million – up 5.8% on volume and down 6% on value, with the price per tonne decreased by 11% to average £1,474 per tonne.

Pipes to go...

The giant crane barge Thialf needs to be in position before H-405 can  leave Lerwick and her cargo of pipes be lowered to the seabed as part of the Clair Ridge project. Another picture and story at Shetland News.

New technologies making marginal fields viable - report

A new report from accountancy firm Deloitte shows that drilling activity in the North Sea 'remains steady' and that innovative technologies mean developments previously not considered economically viable are now beginning to provide real prospects.

BBC report here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-23363783

Instant broadband for festival shows fibre's potential

A 'pop up' superfast broadband facility for a community festival in a remote part of Shetland shows how the fast fibre optic cable running the length of the Shetland Mainland can be deployed effectively.

Full story from The Shetland News here.

Consultation opens on onshore wind developments in Shetland

Consultation opens on guidance for onshore wind energy developments

Shetland Islands Council’s Planning Service has launched a 12-week consultation on guidance for proposed onshore wind energy developments. Its purpose is to:

• Provide developers with information and guidance on where, in principle, large-scale onshore wind energy developments and all associated infrastructure are likely to be acceptable

• Provide the criteria in which developments between 50KW and 20MW will be assessed

• Provide guidance for micro-turbine schemes

The guidance is available online at www.shetland.gov.uk/ldp along with the relevant forms for those who’d like to comment. Paper copies can also be viewed at the Council’s Planning offices at Grantfield in Lerwick. 

The consultation will run till 5pm on 7th October 2013 – anyone requiring further information should contact the Development Plans team on 01595 744800.

**

Super Pumas back in the air?

A solution to the 'potentially catastrophic' gearbox failure in the North Sea's fleet of Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma helicopters has been identified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which  has published an airworthiness directive. The machines could be flying again relatively soon.

Read Frank Urquhart's Scotsman story here.

Oxford to Minsk on a pint of petrol - designed and made in Shetland!

In a fantastic achievement for groundbreaking local firm Shetland Composites, Oxford University's Energy and Power Group recently won the Technical Innovation Award at the Shell Eco Challenge in Rotterdam for their super-efficient vehicle 'Peggie'.

Shetland Composites who work for major names in the renewables, marine, fisheries and packaging industries in the fields of carbon fibre, polyester and epoxy resin fabrication and design, designed and built Peggie's six kg, composite carbon fibre technology shell.

The event seeks to find the vehicle which can complete 10 laps of a 1.6km track at an average speed of 25kph using the least amount of energy from the propulsion batteries. The team managed to prevail against numerous problems to register three valid attempts and a 50%+ improvement on last year's range, achieving 564km/kWh (Oxford to Minsk on the equivalent of a pint of petrol). Team Peggie were awarded the overall technical innovation prize out of a pool of over 200 teams from across Europe. 

Full details of the challenge and EPG's success here

Video crediting all the firms involved in the project here

World's largest crane lifting vessel in Lerwick

The Hereema Marine deepwater construction vessel Thialf has been in Lerwick Harbour this week for a crew change and minor repairs, following work on BP's Clair Ridge Project.

Thialf (see Wikipedia) has two cranes with a combined maximum lifting capacity of 14,200 metric tons, making it the largest capacity crane vessel in the world. However, it has lower height lifting capabilities than its competitor Saipem 7000http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saipem_7000 - which has lifting capability of 14,000 tonnes at 42 meters;  Thialf can lift 14,200 tonnes at 31.2 meters.

Full Shetland Times story here

E.ON to focus on wind, solar and biomass - pulls out of Orkney wave energy project

BBC News is reporting that German energy giant E.ON  - the world's largest electricity generation company - is to cease working with Edinburgh-based Pelamis Wave Energy on the testing in Orkney of one of the Pelamis wave energy convertors, the P2-002. E.ON says it will now focus on what it calls 'mature' renewable technologies such as 'wind, solar and biomass', though it may return to marine energy development later.

Pelamis says the decision will not affect its plans. Its first commercial wave energy machines will be in operation 'within the next couple of years'.

BBC News story here

Third Eco Flag for wind-powered Shetland school

Urafirth Primary School in Hillswick has just been awarded its third 'eco flag', recognising its commitment to the environment, work towards sustainability and longstanding status as one Shetland's first users of windpower in an educational context

The school's mini-croft - featuring raised beds - and polytunnel were singled out for praise by Eco Schools Scotland as efforts continue at Urafirth to use food grown locally - and sometimes by the children themselves. Beautiful floral displays also lend colour to the school environment.

Road safety and a commitment to keeping the area tidy and beautiful are also priorities.

Since 2011, a Proven P11 six-kilowatt wind turbine has operated with great success in all weather conditions at Urafirth, supplying electricity to the school and selling surplus to the grid. The school pioneered wind energy in Shetland education  a decade ago with a different model of wind turbine.

Shetland Islands Council told Power from the North that 34 schools in the isles are registered with the Eco Schools programme.  Nineteen of these have achieved the Green Flag status on at least one occasion.  As this is assessed every two years some have five 'flags'.  A further four schools have bronze or silver awards – which are stages before full flag status.  Nine are currently getting their paperwork together, although a number of these are probably at full flag status already.  

Massive increase in Sullom Voe workforce - urgent need for engineers

BP announces "new lease of life" for Sullom Voe oil terminal - doubling of workforce as Clair and Schiehallion work escalates.

Terminal manager Arthur Spence states that experienced oil and gas people are needed in Shetland, especially trained engineers.

“Shetland has some, but not enough with the skills and experience that we need,” he said.

Full story at The Shetland News

Numbers working offshore keep growing - and Shetland is essential in the transportation process

Offshore Worker Numbers Continue to Grow in UK Oil and Gas - and Shetland is crucial

The UK’s core offshore workforce - those who spend over 100 nights a year offshore - grew in 2012 to 25,760, the largest since 2006. Almost 57,000 people travelled offshore in total, nine per cent more than in 2011. Oil & Gas UK’s 2013 Offshore Demographics Report was published today (26 June). It shows that of those who travelled offshore in 2012: the average age is 41.1 years, similar to previous years the number of people aged under 30 years grew by 14 per cent compared with 2011 over 80 per cent is of British nationality three and half times more people work for non-operators than operators 4 per cent were female Shetland is crucial in the safe, effective, reliable and economical transportation of workers offshore via its airport facilities at Sumburgh, Scatsta, Tingwall and Baltasound in Unst, which is being considered by Chevron as a possible base . For more information on doing business in Shetland's energy sector click here

Totally cooking on gas!

It's going to be Shetland's biggest hotel, with 100 rooms. And it's guaranteed to be a success.

The Moorfield Hotel in Brae, near the Sullom Voe Oil Terminal, Scatsta Airport and the new Total gas plant, hub of the massive Laggan-Tormore pipeline development, will open in August with all the accommodation booked by Total for 12 months. And for the following six years, 80 per cent of the rooms will also be reserved for the French firm's employees.

Local folk and tourists will be welcome to eat and drink at the 48,000 sq ft Moorfield - and up to 40 jobs will be created, say developers and management company Redefine BDL Ltd.

At the moment, two accommodation barges moored in Lerwick, another in Scalloway plus a temporary accomodation unit at Sella Ness, are being used to accommodate workers.

Shetland is buzzing with hydrocarbon activity at the moment, both on and offshore.

- Laggan-Tormore: On completion the Shetland gas plant will  process up to 500 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, employing 70 people. The entire project is expected to cost around £2.5bn. 

Latest News: York firm wins contract for blast-proof substations

- Viking Energy: Plans for one of the biggest land-based windfarms in Europe are progressing. It is expected to begin exporting green energy in 2018.

- BP: redevelopment of the Schiehallion field west of Shetland and in the North Sea, the Clair Ridge and Clair South-west developments

-Decommissioning - major developments along the Lerwick waterfront by Lerwick Port Authority and Peterson SBS, among others.

-Aegir wave farm project - a joint venture between Pelamis and Vattenfall

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