Major local windfarm initiative for Yell and Unst

A windfarm of up to 200MW could be built across the islands of Yell and Unst, after 18 local companies formed a united front aimed at capitalising on the proposed 300km interconnector between Shetland and Scotland. The 'Energy Isles' project could bring 'jobs, money and community benefit, according to one of those involved. Full story from The Shetland News here. http://www.shetnews.co.uk/news/8060-firms-plot-big-windfarm-in-yell-and-unst

Imminent appeal hearing on Viking Energy - legal update and Trump implications

A legal update from law firm Bond Dickinson on the Viking Energy planning situation, the recent decision on Donald Trump's appeal against the offshore wind farm near his Mennie golf development, and the looming Court of Session hearing of the Scottish Government's appeal against the Judicial Review on the Viking development. http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=bd73cd8f-4bcd-445c-a5b3-f34a011c83ff

Bright forecast between Met Office and North Sea oil and gas industry

Oil & Gas UK health & safety director Robert Paterson says weather data reports, obtained from over 104 oil and gas platforms and mobile installations across the North Sea in real time, enable forecasters to predict and analyse weather patterns more accurately and provide bespoke  forecasting advice.  “Helimet is an internet-based weather data network originally designed to share data between UK offshore installations and helicopter operators. This collaboration is a great example of how cutting edge data technology, driven by the oil and gas industry can be of great value to other areas.” Mr Paterson said.  Helimet uses a network of automated weather stations located on offshore oil and gas platforms and mobile installations. They provide detailed reports of cloud, visibility and weather and in some instances, information of wave conditions. These data are fed into a network allowing more accurate definition of the weather across the North Sea, an area prone to adverse weather conditions.   “The safety of the offshore workforce is the absolute priority for the offshore oil and gas industry. Up to date and accurate weather forecasting allows the managers of installations in the North Sea to operate in a safe environment and the helicopter pilots to fly as safely as possible.“ He added.  CHC Helicopter’s regional flight operations manager Jon Hopkinson says tracking and evaluating weather is critical to the helicopter operator’s daily operations. “This system provides up-to-the-minute weather data. This analysis is an important part of the thorough flight planning each pilot does before every flight, across all of our UK operations.” Mr Hopkinson said. Met Office Metocean Advisor John Mitchell says data from Helimet makes a significant contribution to the Met Office’s ability to accurately monitor and provide weather advice.  “Accurate guidance is critical to the safe and efficient operation of not only the oil and gas industry but also the wider offshore renewables, shipping and aviation activity. In addition, coastal communities will benefit through the more accurate analysis of wave activity and potentially damaging surge events as recently experienced along the east coast of England.” Mr Mitchell said.

Oil and gas traffic increases at Lerwick Harbour

The oil and gas industry has continued to take full advantage of Lerwick Harbour’s expanded deep-water infrastructure which helped attract increased traffic in 2013.

The number of oil-related vessels calling jumped 9.6% to 683, compared to 2012, with the tonnage up 28% to 3.8 million gross tonnes and the cargo handled by 36% to 189,090 tonnes.

There was a total of 5416 vessel arrivals last year, up 4.9%, with the tonnage of all ships ahead by 5.5% to 13.2 million gross tonnes.

Use of the port by larger vessels is again demonstrated by pilotage movements, up 7.6% to 1502, with 10.2 million gross tonnes of vessels piloted, up 5.3%.

Total cargo across the port’s near-4,000 metres of quays rose by 17% to 1,169,108 tonnes.

Sandra Laurenson, Lerwick Port Authority’s Chief Executive, said: “In a very busy year, our investment in enhanced facilities again paid off. On top of regular traffic, the port handled various projects demonstrating the capacity of the deep-water harbour, including storing and transhipping modules weighing up to 450 tonnes for the Shetland Gas Plant and accommodating several floatels housing construction workers.

“The outlook is positive for the foreseeable future and we are progressing further developments to maximise the opportunities in various sectors.”

Fish landings totalled 66,745 tonnes, valued at £62.5 million, up 8.6% on volume and 23% on value.

The 10,940 tonnes of white fish were valued at £17 million, up 14% on volume and 9.3% on value, with the price per tonne down 4% to average £1,553 per tonne. In the pelagic sector, mackerel landings increased and there were no blue whiting and less herring landed.

Passengers on ferries between Lerwick and Orkney and Aberdeen increased 7% to 133,028 in 2013. As previously reported, cruise passenger numbers decreased - by 29% to 26,684 – resulting in a minor reduction of 0.85% in total passenger numbers to 160,445.

Ms Laurenson said: “The cruise season was affected by one-off factors relating to specific operators. Bookings for this year indicate a strong recovery, with around 46,000 passengers expected.”    

Shetland Islands Council goes for biomass at Sella Ness

Shetland Islands Council's port administration building at Sella Ness, next to one of Europe's biggest oil and gas terminals, Sullom Voe, will be heated by wood pellet boilers supplied by Windhager UK. Full story from Specification Online here: http://specificationonline.co.uk/news-article/6017/windhager-shetland-islands-council-chooses-windhager-uk-biomass-boilers