BUSY WEEK FOR MARITIME TOURISM This week we will receive 4 cruise liners and 2 calls from the Norwegian training vessel Statsraad Lehmkuhl. On Monday the 20 May, two liners will...
Hatston Pier - new access arrangements to ensure public safety New safety and security measures are now in place following the opening of the extension to Hatston Pier. The pier –...
In the history of Orkney's long association with the sea, the chapter covering the oil years opens in December 1976 with the arrival of the first North Sea crude at a terminal newly built on the island of Flotta.
Ship-to-Ship Transfers
Fifty square miles of sheltered, deep water designated anchorage, an average of a 24 metre draft and a 30 year impeccable safety record, makes Scapa Flow one of the principle locations in Europe for Ship-to-Ship Operations of the transfer of crude and fuel oils.
Just under four years before 1976 the Occidental consortium, led by the American tycoon Dr Armand Hammer, struck oil around 135 miles south east of Orkney. This was the Piper field and its discovery was soon followed by another named Claymore.
Oxy, as the consortium came to be known, decided to bring the crude ashore by pipeline. The landfall would be Flotta - a choice dictated by the surrounding waters of the Flow. In Oxy's view, the harbour that sheltered the Royal Navy through the first and second world wars had more than proved itself as a safe deep-water anchorage for the tankers that would ship oil and gas processed at the terminal to customers around the world.
Today the terminal is run by Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd and receives oil from more fields than at any other time in its history.
Operator
Talisman Energy (UK) Ltd., Flotta Oil Terminal, Flotta, Orkney, KW16 3NP
Vessels must arrive at the port with their propellers fully immersed and trimmed no more than 3 metres by the stern. The berthing and unberthing of ships at Flotta oil terminal is carried out by the harbour's authorised pilots and tugs, and with the assistance of the terminal's mooring masters and workboats.
Berthing at Flotta
Information on the number of tugs available for berthing operations can be found in Towage Services. Tugs' lines are used during berthing and unberthing operations.
Mooring System
Full details of each berthing or unberthing operation will be discussed during the pilot/master exchange of information.
LPG/Crude Oil Jetty
A 'T' shaped jetty capable of handling either crude oil or LPG is situated on the north coast of Flotta (see admiralty charts 35 and 2568). The minimum depth of water alongside is 20.12m and vessels of up to 170,000 tonnes DWT can be handled there.
Special Note
Ballast water from crude oil tankers can only be discharged ashore. Pumping ballast water directly into Scapa Flow is prohibited.
Single Point Moorings
There are two single point moorings positioned approximately 1½ miles north of Flotta's northern coastline (see admiralty charts 35 and 2568). SPM2 (or Bravo) is not in use at present. The minimum water depth at SPM1 (or Alpha) is 23 metres and tankers of up to 200,000 tonnes DWT can be handled there.
Flotta Oil Terminal
Ships expecting to load at an SPM will be required to have, on their approach, a boarding arrangement (typically a pilot ladder/ gangway combination) for the mooring master and hose gang. Additionally, a derrick or crane (minimum 10T SWL) should be prepared for lifting equipment on the ship's port side and a good ship's mooring line is also required forward for use as a messenger for the SPM mooring.
To assist vessels in maintaining position off the SPM during their stay, a tug is secured on the stern. A good ship's line is required aft for this operation.
Tanker at Flotta Oil Terminal
Terminal Services
Further information is available in the Talisman's Port Information Booklet.
Bunkers and Fresh Water
There are no facilities for vessels to either bunker or take on fresh water at the terminal. However, these services can be organised while the vessel is anchored in Scapa Flow. Fresh water and gas oil are obtainable locally but fuel oil has to be shipped into the port.
Stores
Stores may be taken on board at the terminal but not on the ships main cargo deck during cargo operations and not, in any case, without the loading master's prior consent. There are no restrictions relating to storage while anchored in Scapa Flow.
Mooring at Flotta
Garbage Disposal
There is a limited service for the disposal of garbage at the terminal. Again, this service may be organised while the vessel is at anchor.
Telephones
A public telephone for outgoing calls is available to vessels moored at the jetty. The telephone only accepts 'phonecards' which are available from the ship's agent.
Medical
There is a medic on site at the terminal at all times ready to deal with emergency medical situations.
Ship-to-Ship Transfers
The first Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer of North Sea crude oil in Scapa Flow took place in August 1980; the Matco Thames transferred its cargo into the Mobil Magnolia. It required two transfers from the Matco Thames to load the Mobil Magnolia that had a deadweight of 280,237 tonnes, effectively a two million barrel tanker.
Since 1980, 0ver 180 STS transfers have been conducted in Scapa Flow involving 250 vessels, and incorporating the Worlds first commercial transfer of LNG (liquid Natural gas).transferring 132,000m³ of LNG. This occurred in 2007 between the vessels Excalibur and Excelsior
The overall number of barrels of crude oil transferred in the first 6 months of 2009 alone amounts to just over 14 million barrels and a combination of the current market conditions, ideal logistical support in terms of pilots and towage plus the vast levels of experience and expertise of Marine Services crews makes Scapa Flow the ideal location for such operations.
Pilotage and pilot launch services and Towage Services are provided for all operations in Scapa Flow by the new Marine Services Division.
Bunkering operations are also carried out in Scapa Flow with coastal tankers arriving with bunkers for vessels at anchor.
Operations
All vessels arriving at a Scapa Flow Pilot for Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer operations must arrive with their propeller submerged and a trim no greater than 4.0 meters by the stern. A trim must be maintained to allow the vessel to be manoeuvred without difficulty during their stay.
All transfer operations will comply with the current OCIMF (Oil Companies International Marine Forum) STS Transfer Guide and the approved company STS procedures. Only contractors approved by the Orkney Islands Council marine Services will be permitted to supervise any Ship-to-Ship transfer operations in Scapa Flow.
Due to the slow exchange of water in Scapa Flow no ballast water from STS transfer operations is permitted to be discharged into Scapa Flow. Vessels requiring to de-ballast will be required to leave Scapa Flow to carryout de-ballasting prior to returning to complete the STS transfer operation.
The current economic downturn has witnessed the arrival of laden VLCCs for long term storage. This is welcomed in Scapa Flow, however as the regulator of the Harbour Authority, the Harbourmaster requires all VLCCs to be fully operational and anchor watch to be maintained.
In 2009 we have hosted for the first time VLCCs of similair deadweight (circa 300,000 DWT) transferring crude oil on a 1:1 basis. Vessels such as the Bunga Kasturi Dua, Samco America, BW Luna and Hero I are all examples of vessels who have conducted crude oil transfers of over 2 million barrels in Scapa Flow in 2009.
