News / In brief for 24 August 2011
Faroe finds oil
ABERDEEN-based Faroe Petroleum has confirmed the company has struck oil at its first operated exploration well on the Fulla prospect to the west of Shetland.
The well was drilled 31 kilometres north east of the BP-operated Clair field platform.
Chief executive Graham Stewart said: “Further work will be conducted in the coming weeks to gain a deeper understanding of the structure and its contents.
“With better than expected reservoir quality and good indications of mobile oil, we believe there is potential for a commercial field development, most likely in combination with our nearby Freya discovery.”
As a result of Wednesday’s announcement the company’s share price rose by 16 per cent.
Short sighted cut
INTERNATIONAL environmental pressure group KIMO has renewed its call for the UK government to retain its four emergency towing vessels (ETV) stationed around the coast.
One of the tugs was tasked at the weekend to tow the Norwegian freighter Fenja to Lerwick after it broke down around 50 miles north of Unst.
Next month, the four ETVs will be removed from service as part of controversial government cuts.
Lerwick-based John Mouat, of KIMO’s international secretariat, said: “The disgraceful decision to remove the ETVs from around the UK coast, which was done with no consultation, will leave our coastal communities and mariners at risk from accidents and pollution.
“At a time when other countries around Europe are increasing their ETV cover the UK government is going against the advice of its own cost benefit analysis studies and making a short sighted cut that could cost local communities and the country much more in the long term.“
Dialect production
A NEW Shetland dialect production is to go on the road visiting 24 Shetland schools in September.
‘Kirsty & Da Snarravoe Njuggle’ stars young Shetland actress Hannah Uttley who returns to Shetland having just completed a drama course at Stratford University.
Dialect co-ordinator Bruce Eunson said: “The play tells the story of 10 year old Kirsty who is sent to stay with her granny. She is quickly bored with life.
“Then she meets, what she thinks is a friendly pony. It is no pony though…it is actually the Snarravoe Njuggle! Kirsty makes the mistake of getting on the back of the pony, who transforms into a njuggle and in a second, with a flash of blue flame, runs with Kirsty towards the loch of Snarravoe.
“The njuggle then dives into the water, taking Kirsty down with her. If you want to find out what happens next, you’ll have to come along to see the production!”
The play will also be performed at Islesburgh Community Centre on 3 September at 10.30am, and on 4 September at 11am, as part of the WordPlay festival.
Book launch
SHETLAND library is hosting the launch of local author Neil Butler’s debut The Roost on Thursday 1 September.
The Roost, which has been long-listed for The Guardian First Book Award, is a series of interlinked stories about the lives of young Shetlanders.
The event takes place on the library mezzanine at 6.30pm and will include music and refreshments, as well as a reading and book signing by the author.
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