As reported in the John o’ Groat Journal, 26 December 1975.
Mr Jo Grimond MP recently asked the Secretary of State for Energy in the Commons whether he expected any further prospecting for oil west of Orkney and Shetland.
“Nineteen explorations wells remain to be drilled under current production licences issued for areas west of Orkney and Shetland. Licensees have until March 1978 to drill these wells and there is no evidence to suggest that they will not fulfil their obligations.”
Today, 50 years on:
The Rosebank oil and gas field is located off the coast of Shetland. It is considered one of the biggest prospects in the UK Continental Shelf. The production from phase one development is expected to commence in Q4 2026. The field is expected to produce 69,000 barrels of oil (bopd) and 44 million cubic feet (mcf) of gas per day. The field was discovered in 2004.
The Cambo oil field was discovered in 2002, and is 30 kilometres (19 mi) south west of the Rosebank field, and 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of the Schiehallion field.
The Schiehallion oilfield is a deepwater offshore oilfield approximately 175 kilometres (95 nautical miles) west of Shetland. The Schiehallion field was discovered in 1993. Recoverable oil reserves of Schiehallion are estimated to be between 450 and 600 million barrels (72×106 and 95×106 m3). Start of production 1998.
The Schiehallion field, together with Foinaven, Clair, Lancaster and Solan fields, forms the frontier area generally termed as the West of Shetland.
One month before the referendum on Scottish Independence in 2014, Sir Ian Wood, reported by the BBC as “a leading oil industry figure” stated that
“unless significant new discoveries are made, no more than 35 years of oil and gas production remain and that this must be taken into account in the economics of independence.”
He continued:
“The loss of significant offshore oil and gas tax revenues as the North Sea runs down will have a big impact on our economy, jobs and balance of payments, with significant increases in household energy bills – and a very adverse impact on the legacy for future generations in an independent Scotland.”
“It means our young voters must be fully aware that by the time they are middle aged, Scotland will have little offshore oil and gas production and this will seriously hit our economy, jobs and public services.
“What’s more, the rundown impact will begin to be felt by 2030, which is only 15 years from now.”
The total recoverable resource at Rosebank is estimated to be 300 million barrels of oil. Phase one of the project will target an estimated 245 million barrels of oil.
There is a strong campaign to Stop the Rosebank Development.
Fiona Grahame.
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