Gas Gathering Systems In The Northern North Sea
Authors: Cairns Jack , Hartill Ian 
Published: December 2007

Gas Gathering Pipelines (North Sea) Ltd., was set up to carry out a more detailed study of the problem of collecting natural gas arising from oil, condensate and gas discoveries in the UK sector of the Northern North Sea and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Energy.

The Shareholders of the company were drawn from both the public and private sectors of Industry and through the Department of Energy nearly all the Operating Companies in the area made their information available to GGP.

GGP concluded that no major new pipeline system could be justified at present and that any development would have to be based upon the existing Frigg and Brent pipeline systems. The collection of gas from any unexpected major new discoveries or from other sectors of the North Sea for transmission to the North East of Scotland could, of course, change the conclusions significantly.

1. ORGANISATION OF STUDY

1.1. Background

Several organisations have been active over the past few years in promoting interest in the development of UK offshore gas gathering systems, which would take as their sources of supply:associated gas from oil fieldsthe gas produced from condensate fieldsgas from small gas fields which could not justify independent development.

In December 1976 the Secretary of State for Energy announced that, to plan and commission more detailed studies, he proposed the establishment of a joint public sector/private sector study company, Gas Gathering Pipelines (North Sea) Limited (GGP).

The public sector corporations, EGO and BNOC, held between them two thirds of the shares, the other third being held equally by BP, ICI, RTZ and Total/Elf.

Shareholders seconded to GGP full-time staff who were specialists in the various areas to be covered by the study and during the course of the studies, meetings of additional experts from the Shareholders were called as and when required, to examine and advise upon particular issues.

Specific tasks were also assigned to staff from shareholding companies who were not seconded fulltime to GGP, or Shareholders were asked to undertake complete studies, where this appeared to be more beneficial than engaging the services of an outside consultant.

Day-to-day responsibilities were delegated to the Chief Executive but the Board of GGP retained close involvement in the conduct of the studies, meeting at least monthly.

1.3. Confidentiality

The Department of Energy was not itself directly involved in the study, but it was recognised from the beginning that its close cooperation would be needed, particularly in making contact with licensees on confidential matters. To satisfy licensees that any sensitive information provided would be fully safeguarded, GGP agreed with the Department of Energy detailed confidentiality undertakings, acceptable to all the licensees concerned and to the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association. As a result, adequate cooperation was received by GGP from most of the North Sea licensees. In addition, GGP required all its staff, consultants and directors to sign confidentiality undertakings, and the Official Secrets Act declaration form.

1.1. Background

Several organisations have been active over the past few years in promoting interest in the development of UK offshore gas gathering systems, which would take as their sources of supply:associated gas from oil fieldsthe gas produced from condensate fieldsgas from small gas fields which could not justify independent development.

In December 1976 the Secretary of State for Energy announced that, to plan and commission more detailed studies, he proposed the establishment of a joint public sector/private sector study company, Gas Gathering Pipelines (North Sea) Limited (GGP).

The public sector corporations, EGO and BNOC, held between them two thirds of the shares, the other third being held equally by BP, ICI, RTZ and Total/Elf.

Shareholders seconded to GGP full-time staff who were specialists in the various areas to be covered by the study and during the course of the studies, meetings of additional experts from the Shareholders were called as and when required, to examine and advise upon particular issues.

Specific tasks were also assigned to staff from shareholding companies who were not seconded fulltime to GGP, or Shareholders were asked to undertake complete studies, where this appeared to be more beneficial than engaging the services of an outside consultant.

Day-to-day responsibilities were delegated to the Chief Executive but the Board of GGP retained close involvement in the conduct of the studies, meeting at least monthly.

1.3. Confidentiality

The Department of Energy was not itself directly involved in the study, but it was recognised from the beginning that its close cooperation would be needed, particularly in making contact with licensees on confidential matters. To satisfy licensees that any sensitive information provided would be fully safeguarded, GGP agreed with the Department of Energy detailed confidentiality undertakings, acceptable to all the licensees concerned and to the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association. As a result, adequate cooperation was received by GGP from most of the North Sea licensees. In addition, GGP required all its staff, consultants and directors to sign confidentiality undertakings, and the Official Secrets Act declaration form.