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.