The development of oil resources in the North Sea should see a major boost with a new agreement to construct oil and gas pipelines for BP's Clair Ridge offshore drilling project near the Shetland Islands, according to The Associated Press.
The deal between the British oil giant and engineering firm Subsea 7 will help establish both a shorter 6-kilometer oil pipeline and a longer 14-kilometer natural gas pipeline.
These pipelines will connect the firms offshore platforms to a new set of Clair Ridge production facilities. 4-Traders.com reports that the pipelines will be constructed at Subsea 7's Wick, Scotland, facilities and make use of a specialized approach known as bundling.
"The construction of the pipeline is an essential step in opening up the considerable potential of the west-of-Shetland field," Scottish Secretary Michael Moore told the AP. "The contract award to Subsea 7 is just the latest piece of good news for the UK's oil and gas sector and its supply chain in Scotland. I welcome the investment by BP and the jobs and expertise which will be secured in the Wick facility as a result."
Further information on oil production in the North Sea can be found at PennEnergy's Research area.
