Sullom Voe Terminal

The Sullom Voe oil complex is operated by EnQuest on behalf of a consortium of oil companies. The complex currently receives oil by pipeline from the oilfields in the East Shetland Basin and the Deep waters West of Shetland. The oil is exported from Sullom Voe by tanker and shipped worldwide.
Loading and Discharging 
While a vessel is alongside the main engines must be maintained in a state of readiness at all times for vacating the Terminal at short notice. Vessels undertaking approved repair work as detailed in Regulation 19 of ‘Jetty Safety Regulations’, may be allowed to immobilise under controlled conditions.

Load Line Regulations
For tankers departing between 16 October and 31 October and 1 April and 15 April inclusive the MCA has confirmed that vessels can load to summer marks providing they precede southerly after rounding Ramna Stacks or Muckle Flugga. If they proceed on a northerly course to the USA or Canada above 60º north after departing then North Atlantic Winter Season Zone 1 applies, i.e. winter marks.

Jetty Facilities
There are four jetties located in deep water on the northern shores of Sullom Voe. The jetties are numbered one to four in sequences from East to West:
•    Number one jetty is currently not in service 
•    Number two jetty has crude oil loading facilities in the size range set out below. 
•    Number three jetty  has crude oil loading facilities in the size range set out below.
•    Number four jetty can be used for Ship-to-Ship transfers in addition to lay-by for certain vessels. 
Larger tankers may be accepted at the discretion of the Harbour Master and Terminal Operator.

Capacity of Jetties at Sullom Voe

Loading Systems
All crude loading arms are 150 ASA 16 inch hydraulic connections. This includes number one jetty where 16 inch connections are attached to 12 inch arms. 

Loading Arm Size
Number one jetty        N/A
Number two jetty        Crude 4 x 16" 
Number three jetty     Crude 4 x 16" 
Number four jetty       N/A 

Connection of Loading Arms
Vessels should arrive with the required spool pieces fitted to their manifold. Manifolds should comply with the latest OCIMF Standards. As a minimum there must be 500mm between faces of reducer/spool presented for connection. Reducers must be equally tapered.
Failure to present correct reducer/spool will result in delays. The Terminal does not have reducers but does have 16” to 16” spool pieces. Should it be necessary to use the Terminal’s spools a charge will be levied.

Manifold Heights Above Chart Datum

Note: Maximum allowable pressure on lines and connections is 150 pounds per square inch.

Jetty Maximum Loading Rates

Jetty Fire Fighting Facilities
The oil loading jetties are each equipped with two independent fire fighting systems, one for water alone and the second for either water or foam. Hydrants are spaced along the jetty access road and jetty head.
Monitors are installed to provide a water curtain in the area of the jetty head and between the access tower and manifold area. Elevated monitors are also positioned at the top of the access and monitor towers. A sprinkler system protects the access tower.
The hose couplings are 2.5” standard instantaneous female type and the fire main in the access tower can accept international connections.

Fire Precautions
Every vessel's fire fighting appliances including main and emergency fire pumps, must be kept ready for immediate use with at least one fire pump maintaining pressure on the deck fire main.
Before deballasting and loading/discharging operations commence, and during periods when permitted repair work is being carried out, at least two fire hoses must be uncoiled and connected to the fire main. One of the fire hoses must be sited forwards and the other abaft the manifold.
The vessel should ensure that an International Shore Connection is available on the vessel’s fire main in the vicinity of the gangway. 

Cargo Measurement
Meters are installed for cargo measurement. Bill of Lading quantities are calculated from meter readings.

Dirty Ballast Reception Facilities
The discharge of any dirty ballast into the waters of Sullom Voe is prohibited. 
All dirty ballast or non-segregated ballast must remain on-board as there are no Dirty Ballast reception facilities any longer at Sullom Voe Terminal. 
Non-segregated ballast includes ballast contained in any tank designed for or capable of being used for the carriage of crude oil. Tanks having a permanent connection to the cargo piping system are not considered to be segregated ballast tanks. Additionally, any ballast from segregated ballast tanks with high levels of mineral or chemical pollutant will be deemed ‘dirty’.

Discharge of Clean Ballast Water
The discharge of ballast water from segregated or permanent ballast tanks into the waters of the Harbour will be permitted provided that:

• The place at which the ballast was taken. 
• the vessel complies with the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM) in that it has a Ballast water management system in place and operational and/or if required Ballast water has been treated or exchanged in a suitable place during sea passage 
• For Further UK Guidance see Ballast Water Management FAQ 
• The Master of the vessel advises the Harbour Authority prior to arrival:
  • The place at which the ballast was taken. 
  • The quantity of the ballast. 
  • That to his knowledge the ballast is free from oil contamination. 
  • Samples have been taken and analysed by the Terminal Operator. 
  • Hydrocarbon level must be 5 ppm or less. 

The Port Safety Officers of the Harbour Authority will, on occasions, board vessels carrying segregated ballast to obtain samples. The Harbour Authority may, as a result of information so obtained, refuse permission for the discharge of segregated ballast water taken on board in certain locations. 
Permission for the discharge of ballast water must be obtained from the jetty staff. 

Inert Gas
A random check of the quality of the inert gas in several of the vessels tanks will be made on arrival alongside to ensure the vessel complies with the statutory requirements regarding inert gas. If any of the tanks are found to have an oxygen content in excess of 8% the vessel will be required to vacate the berth and return to sea to complete inerting.
Purging of tanks whilst alongside is not permitted. Vessels must arrive at the berth with positive inert gas pressure.

Hydrogen Sulphide
Tests will also be taken to ensure a hydrogen sulphide content of less than 5 ppm. If higher levels are found the vessel will be returned to sea to purge.

Methyl Mercaptan
Tests will also be taken to ensure a Ethanethiol (Methyl Mercaptan) content of less than 0.5ppm If higher levels are found the vessel will be returned to sea to purge

Crude Oil Storage
Crude oil is stored in sixteen conventional floating roof storage tanks each with a capacity of 600,000 barrels.

Bunkering Facilities
There are no bunkering facilities available for tankers calling at the Port of Sullom Voe but arrangements may possibly be made at the discretion of the harbour master

Fresh Water
Potable water can be supplied to tankers at Sullom Voe. A charge is levied for the use of the facility. Vessels requiring fresh water should inform their Agents prior to arrival.