Total SA has started production from Laggan and Tormore gas-condensate fields in the West of Shetland area. The fields will produce 90,000 boe/d.
The Laggan-Tormore development lies in 600 m of water and consists of a 140-km tie-back of four subsea wells to the new 500-MMscfd onshore Shetland gas plant.
After treatment at the plant, gas is exported to the mainland through the Shetland Island Regional Gas Export System (SIRGE) while condensate is exported through the Sullom Voe terminal.
“Laggan-Tormore is a key component of our production growth in 2016 and beyond,” said Arnaud Breuillac, Total exploration and production president. “The innovative subsea-to-shore development concept, the first of its kind in the United Kingdom, has no offshore surface infrastructure and benefits from both improved safety performance and lower costs.”
Deirdre Michie, Oil & Gas UK’s chief executive, also commented, “Investment in Laggan-Tormore was made possible by the introduction of a tax allowance for deepwater gas developments several years ago. The significant economic contribution made by the project illustrates how changes to the tax regime can be a real enabler in maximizing the economic benefit from [the UK’s] oil and gas reserves.”
Total E&P UK operates Laggan-Tormore with 60% interest alongside partners DONG E&P (UK) Ltd. and SSE E&P UK Ltd., each of which holds 20%. SSE E&P UK in 2015 joined the Total and Dong partnership at Laggan-Tormore as well as nearby Edradour and Glenlivet fields (OGJ Online, July 29, 2015).
Edradour and Glenlivet will tie into Laggan-Tormore’s infrastructure (OGJ Online, Oct. 30, 2014; Feb. 24, 2015). The Edradour discovery is 75 km northwest of Shetland in 300 m of water and the Glenlivet discovery is north of Edradour in 400 m of water. Edradour is expected to start up in 2017, followed by Glenlivet in 2018.
