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]

Brent System
Location
CountryScotland, United Kingdom
General directionnorth-south-west
FromNorth Sea oilfields
Passes throughCormorant Alpha
ToSullom Voe Terminal
General information
Typeoil
OperatorTAQA Bratani
Technical information
Length147 km (91 mi)
Maximum discharge100,000 bbl/d (16,000 m3/d)
Diameter36 in (914 mm)

Oil transportation system

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Oil is transported from 20 oilfields, including:

Pipelines

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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 barrels per day (16,000 m3/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]

Brent system oil pipelines
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]

Crude oil specification
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

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Oil production from the Brent field from 1976 to 1983 was as follows (1000 barrels):[5]

Decommissioning

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Shell UK Limited propose to decommission the Brent Field pipelines in the mid-2020s.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Taqa takes Brent pipe reins". Upstream Online. NHST Media Group. 3 August 2009. Retrieved 6 August 2009.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ a b Shell UK Limited, Brent field pipelines decommissioning programme (2020)
  4. ^ Taqa Brent System
  5. ^ Oilfield Publications Limited (1985). The North Sea Platform Guide. Oilfield Publications Limited. p. 83.