| Country | Scotland, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Operator | TAQA Bratani |
| Length | 147 km |
| Discharge | 100,000 oilbbl/d |
| Diameter in | 36 |
| Direction | north-south-west |
| Start | North Sea oilfields |
| Finish | Sullom Voe Terminal |
| Through | Cormorant Alpha |
The Brent System pipeline transports oil from the North Sea oilfields via Cormorant Alpha to the Sullom Voe Terminal in Shetland, Scotland.[1] Since 3 August 2009, it is operated by Abu Dhabi National Energy Company replacing the previous operator Royal Dutch Shell.[1][2] The Brent system is jointly owned by 21 companies.[1]
Oil transportation system
Oil is transported from 20 oilfields, including:
- Thistle
- Murchison
- Hutton
- North West Hutton
- Dunlin
- Brent A, B, C & D
- Cormorant Alpha
- North Cormorant
- Tern
- Eider
Pipelines
The Cormorant A to Sullom Voe pipeline is 36 inches (910 mm) diameter steel (API 5L X60) of 147 kilometres (91 mi) in length. It has capacity of 100,000 oilbbl/d.[1] The Brent C to Cormorant A pipeline is 30 inches (760 mm) in diameter and 35 kilometres (22 mi) long.
Other oil pipelines are:[3]
| Pipeline number | From | To | Diameter (inches) | Length (km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PL001 | Brent C | Cormorant A | 30 | 35.9 |
| PL049 | Brent A | Brent Spar | 16 | 2.8 |
| PL048 | Brent B | Brent Spar | 16 | 2.3 |
| PL045 | Brent B | Brent C | 24 | 4.6 |
| PL046 | Brent D | Brent C | 20 | 4.0 |
| PL1955 | Brent A | Brent B | 14 (flexible) |
The specification for crude oil transported in the Brent system is as follows:[4]
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Entry point | Cormorant A |
| Exit point | Sullom Voe terminal |
| Crude oil | Non-sour |
| Base sediment and water | 5% |
| True vapour pressure at entry | 115 psia @ 100 °F |
| True vapour pressure at exit | 220 psia @ 100 °F |
| Hydrogen sulfide | 25 mg/l |
| Carbon dioxide | 251 mg/l |
Production
Oil production from the Brent field from 1976 to 1983 was as follows (1000 barrels):[5]
Decommissioning
Shell UK Limited propose to decommission the Brent Field pipelines in the mid-2020s.[3]
References
- ^ "Taqa takes Brent pipe reins". Upstream Online. NHST Media Group. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ Christopher Johnson, Barbara Lewis (3 August 2009). "Abu Dhabi firm says becomes N. Sea Brent operator". Reuters. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
- ^ Shell UK Limited, Brent field pipelines decommissioning programme (2020)
- ^ Taqa Brent System
- ^ Oilfield Publications Limited (1985). The North Sea Platform Guide. Oilfield Publications Limited. p. 83.