Shetland gas plant deal 'to bring 150 new jobs'

Aker will create the new posts at the gas plant and in Aberdeen

Oil and gas firm Aker Solutions is to create up to 150 jobs in Scotland after securing a three-year deal to provide operations and maintenance services at the new Shetland Gas Plant (SGP).

The Norway-listed company said the posts would be filled at the plant and onshore in Aberdeen.

The agreement includes providing support personnel for Total E&P UK.

The new plant will receive gas from the Laggan and Tormore fields, west of Shetland.

The value of the deal was not disclosed.

The gas processing plant is a joint venture between Total and Dong E&P (UK) Ltd.

Gas is expected to start coming in through the new terminal by 2014.

Mike Forbes, UK managing director of Aker Solutions' maintenance, modifications and operations business, said it was a "significant contract" for the company.

"The Shetland Gas Plant will be an integral part of the future UK gas supply and we are pleased our expertise and track record for delivery have been recognised and we can continue to be a part of the UK oil and gas success story together with Total E&P UK," he added.

More than 180 Aker Solutions employees are currently involved in delivering production and maintenance support services for Total at both the St Fergus gas plant in Aberdeenshire - where up to 20% of the UK's gas requirement is processed - and offshore on the Elgin Franklin assets.

In May, Aker announced plans to create 500 new jobs in the north east of Scotland over the next two years.

The company already has 2,700 people working in Scotland on subsea and drilling technology bases in Dyce and Portlethen.

Aker specialises in extending the life-span of offshore platforms.