TotalEnergies is conducting a large-scale investigation into a heating failure at SGP in Scotland. The facility has been shut down for safety reasons since 5 December, when an element of the heating medium system failed and triggered a steam release at the plant.  

TotalEnergies’ joint venture partner for SGP, UK-based company Kistos Holdings, commented that it “continues to investigate the cause of the heating medium system failure at SGP, and in parallel has started work to replace the failed section". 

“Both workstreams need to be completed to ensure the safe restart of the facility, which Kistos expects to occur in the next two weeks," it said. 

SGP is located on the north coast of the main island of Scotland’s Shetland Isles and processes gas from several separate offshore gas fields: Edradour, Glenlivet and Laggan-Tormore. The facility, which has been operating since 2016, can process up to 500 million cubic feet of gas per day. TotalEnergies claims that the plant produces around 8% of the UK’s gas needs – enough for two million homes – meaning stopping production could be viewed as concerning for the company.  

However, despite the plant remaining shuttered for the time being, Kistos remains optimistic that the facility will meet its predicted 2023 output targets, stating: “In the meantime, the company confirms that its average production in 2023 is still expected to be within the previously guided range of 8,500 to 10,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day,” it stated.  

Kistos expects the facility to reopen within a fortnight, noting that it remains in contact with TotalEnergies, which commented last week: “We will not restart production until it is safe to do so.”