Learn About Shetland
Oil Industry
When oil arrived in the late 1970s, it wasn’t thought that production from Shetland would last beyond the millennium. However, ingenious ways have been found of extending the life of fields, for example gas from fields west of Shetland is injected into fields to the east to force out more oil. Those newer developments west of Shetland have also been connected to the oil terminal at Sullom Voe. Thus, although oil production has passed its peak, the decline is gradual and it’s likely that the terminal will be in business for many years to come.
Despite the notable influence that it’s had on Shetland’s economy, the physical impact of the oil industry is very limited. The terminal is off the beaten track and few people live nearby. It has an enviable environmental record, thanks to the rigorous controls exercised by the Shetland Islands Council. A thorough, long-term programme of environmental monitoring has been in place since the terminal opened.
Elsewhere, there is some oil-related shipping to be seen in ports around the
islands and oil platform decommissioning is undertaken at a site near the north
entrance of Lerwick Harbour. Oil-related air traffic mostly uses Scatsta Airport,
beside Sullom Voe, but some also passes through Shetland’s principal airport
at Sumburgh.
More In This Section…
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Renewable Energy
Shetland is one of the most promising locations in the world for the development of renewable energy. Read more
Food and Drink
Keen cooks know that the Shetland larder is particularly well-stocked. Read more
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Creative Industries
Shetland has always been a creative community, with a particularly strong textile heritage. Read more
Tourism in Shetland
More people than ever before are sampling Shetland, but the islands are unlikely to become a mass-market destination. Read more
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Public Sector
For its size, Shetland has a large public sector, partly because the income from oil has allowed the provision of a high level of public services. Read more
Social Enterprise
There’s a long list of social enterprises in Shetland too, many coming under the umbrella of COPE. Read more
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