St Fergus Gas Terminal
| Company type | Gas processing terminal |
|---|---|
| Industry | Natural gas processing |
| Founded | September 1977 |
| Headquarters | St Fergus, Aberdeenshire , Scotland, United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Products | Processed natural gas, ethane, propane, heavier hydrocarbons |
| Owner | National Grid (British Gas), TotalEnergies, Shell, Apache Corporation, ExxonMobil (Mobil North Sea LLC) |
The St Fergus Gas Terminal stands as a significant gas processing installation located near St Fergus, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, with security provided by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. It ranks among the foremost gas terminals in the United Kingdom, alongside facilities at Bacton, Norfolk and Easington, East Riding of Yorkshire.
History
Originally developed through a partnership between British Gas (currently National Grid) and Total Oil Marine, the terminal consists of three primary plants, each served by its own set of pipelines. The National Grid-operated plant consolidates gas from the other three units. Together, these plants process approximately one-quarter of the UK's total gas supply. The land was historically owned by the Mess family from St. Fergus.
Total
Total’s segment began operations in September 1977 to manage gas delivered via the Frigg pipeline, with further expansion in 1978 to accommodate the Vesterled pipeline. Queen Elizabeth II officially opened this plant on May 9, 1978. Ownership of the Vesterled pipeline lies with the Gassled consortium.
Shell
Shell's facility started functioning in April 1982 and was formally inaugurated by Prince Charles in October that same year. It processes gas sourced from the Brent oilfield through the FLAGS pipeline. Additional inputs commenced in July 1987 from the Fulmar oilfield via the Fulmar Gas Pipeline, with supplies from the Goldeneye Gas Platform beginning in October 2004.
Apache
This section handles gas delivered by the SAGE pipeline originating from the Brae field and also manages gas transported through the Atlantic, Cromarty, and Britannia pipelines.
Operation
The terminal’s receiving plants purify incoming gas and provide methane-rich output to the neighboring British Gas facility.
National Grid
Linked to the National Transmission System, gas is distributed across Scotland through routes passing via Kirriemuir in Angus and continuing on to Bathgate in West Lothian.
Shell
With a capacity near 33 million standard cubic metres per day (Mm SCM/d) for FLAGS and 10 Mm SCM/d for Fulmar, this plant supplies British Gas with 23.25 Mm SCM/d of gas and exports around 8,750 tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons to Mossmorran.
Total
Receiving gas from twenty different fields such as Alwyn, Miller, Bruce, and more recently from the Rhum, this is the terminal’s largest plant and accounts for 20% of UK gas demand. Initially dependent solely on Frigg until 1987, production from that field ended in October 2004. The Frigg pipeline used is owned by Total E & P UK plc, headquartered in Aberdeen and recognized as the fourth-largest operator in the North Sea.
Esso
Managed by ExxonMobil under Mobil North Sea LLC, this adjacent facility takes in gas through the SAGE pipeline, which largely follows the Miller pipeline route to the SAGE Terminal (Scottish Area Gas Evacuation).
Products
Ethane, propane, and heavier hydrocarbons are extracted using a cryogenic separation process before being forwarded to additional plants at Mossmorran, Fife (owned by Shell), and Cruden Bay (operated by BP). The Fulmar Gas Pipeline incorporates a hydrodesulfurization unit designed to eliminate hydrogen sulphide and reduce moisture content.
Security
The facility maintains continuous protection around the clock, secured by armed law enforcement personnel to counteract any terrorist threats.
Bittern
Identified in June 1996, with extraction commencing in April 2000. This field primarily produces oil, while its gas output is conveyed through the Fulmar Gas Pipeline.
Brent
A substantial oil and gas reserve discovered in July 1971, with production initiated in November 1976. The gas extracted is transported via the FLAGS pipeline.
Curlew D
Found in May 1990, production began in November 1997. It mainly yields oil alongside the adjacent Curlew B field, with gas transported through the Fulmar Gas Pipeline.
Fulmar
Named after the Fulmar seabird, this field was discovered in December 1975 and began production in February 1982. It is predominantly an oil field managed by Repsol Sinopec and lends its name to the Fulmar Gas Pipeline.
Goldeneye
Discovered in September 1996, the unmanned Goldeneye Gas Platform stands as a significant asset within the region.
Nelson
Initially operated by Enterprise Oil, Nelson is chiefly an oil-producing field discovered in March 1988, with production starting February 1994. Its gas is routed via Kittiwake and the Fulmar Gas Pipeline.
Alwyn North
An oil field located in October 1975 and brought into production by December 1987. Gas from this field is transported through the Frigg pipeline.
Dunbar
Discovered in November 1973, with production commencing December 1994. This oil field’s gas output travels via the Frigg pipeline.
Ellon
Located in October 1973 and starting production in December 1994. The gas produced is channeled through Alwyn before entering the Frigg pipeline.
Grant
Discovered August 1977 and producing since July 1998. Its gas flows pass through Dunbar and Alwyn fields before joining the Frigg pipeline.
Nuggets
Found in July 1994, with production initiated in 2002. This system is also known as the Northern Underwater Gas Gathering Export and Treatment System.
Beryl
Beryl A (alpha) was discovered in September 1972; Beryl B (bravo) followed in May 1975. Production started June 1976 for A and July 1984 for B. Gas is transported using the SAGE pipeline.
Skene
An oil field discovered in 1976, beginning production in February 2002. Named after the Clan Skene, its gas is carried via the SAGE pipeline.
Bruce
Discovered July 1974 with production starting August 1993. This large oil and gas field transports its gas through the Frigg pipeline.
Magnus
Also an oil-producing site found in July 1974; production began August 1983. Gas from Magnus is routed via the FLAGS and Northern Leg pipelines.
Miller
An oil field discovered March 1983, with production running from June 1992 until closure in 2007. Its gas was delivered to Peterhead power station at Boddam through the Miller Transportation System leading to the Total terminal.
Britannia
Found September 1975, production commenced August 1998. Operated by ConocoPhillips, its gas flows to the SAGE Terminal at St Fergus. Initially licensed to Britannia Oil Company Ltd and previously called Bosun, it includes Chevron’s Kilda and Conoco’s Lapworth blocks, renamed Britannia to represent its scale.
Statoil Gas Fields
Managed by the Norwegian firm Statoil.
Statfjord
Initially under Mobil's management, the Statfjord field was identified in February 1975, with production commencing in November 1979. Gas is conveyed through the FLAGS pipeline system and partially directed to Kårstø in Norway. This field also holds considerable significance as an oil producer.
Kyle
Operated by Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNR International UK Ltd), the Kyle field produces both oil and gas. It was discovered in August 1993, with production starting in March 2001.
Guillemot West & Guillemot Northwest
Discovered in October 1979 and July 1985 respectively, these fields began output in April 2000. Currently operated by Petro-Canada, previously managed by Veba Oil, gas from these fields is transported via the Frigg system (FGL).
Britannia
With majority ownership by Chevron and ConocoPhillips, the Britannia field was found in September 1975 and started production in August 1998. It is a substantial gas field with gas transported through the SAGE pipeline.
Marathon Gas Fields
Under the operation of Marathon Oil.
Beinn
Discovered in November 1989, Beinn began production in February 1994. This field also produces oil, with gas transported via the SAGE pipeline.
Brae
Primarily an oil-producing field, Brae was discovered between 1975 and 1977, with production phases starting in 1983 and later during 1988-89. Gas transportation is handled through the SAGE pipeline.
Talisman Gas Fields
Operated by Talisman Energy.
Galley
Identified in October 1974, Galley commenced production in March 1998. Also producing oil, its gas is routed via the Tartan platform and the Frigg pipeline.
Orion
Discovered in September 1971, Orion started producing in September 1999. Primarily an oil field, its gas is transported through the Fulmar Gas Pipeline.
Piper
Found in January 1973, Piper began production in December 1976. Mainly an oil field, gas transportation occurs via the Frigg pipeline.
Tartan
Discovered January 1975 with production initiated January 1981. This field mainly produces oil, with gas moved through the Frigg pipeline.
Strathspey
Originally operated by Texaco, Strathspey was discovered in March 1975 and production started December 1993. Gas is transported using the FLAGS pipeline.
Gas Fields
- Alwyn North
- Beryl
- Britannia
- Bruce
- Curlew
- Dunbar
- Dunbar/Ellon
- Forvie/Grant
- Goldeneye
- Magnus
- NUGGETS
- Nuggets
- Otter
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