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