History of ETS
The ETS system was originally constructed as a 24 inch diameter, 204km pipeline between the Esmond Area fields and the Bacton terminal.
The Esmond Area achieved first gas in 1985 from the Esmond, Forbes and Gordon fields. Production from these fields ceased in 1995, and the Esmond Area facilities were decommissioned in phases between 1993 and 2004.
In 1996, the ETS owners and the Trent and Tyne group signed a joint venture to allow evacuation of gas from the Perenco-operated Trent and Tyne fields, and subsequently the Alpha Petroleum-operated Tors development. The ETS pipeline was reconfigured with the disconnection of 37km of the original ETS pipeline ("northern leg") and the tie-in of the 20 inch Trent/Tyne gas export pipeline into the remaining 165km of the ETS pipeline to Bacton ("southern leg").
The ETS pipeline was further reconfigured in 2015 with the installation of a subsea Wye Manifold, creating a new subsea entry point to ETS for both the existing 20 inch Trent/Tyne export pipeline, and the new 24 inch diameter Cygnus export pipeline. Ithaca Energy owns and operates the Cygnus field which came onstream in December 2016. Cygnus is one of the largest developments in the UK sector of the Southern North Sea, and has the potential to extend throughput in ETS beyond 2040.
Production from the Tyne field ceased in 2015, and the Trent field formally ceased production in 2024. In March 2025, the joint venture between the ETS owners and the Trent and Tyne group was terminated, and the role of statutory operator transferred to the Cygnus operator, Ithaca Energy.
The 37km disconnected "northern leg" of ETS is maintained under preservation (filled with treated seawater).
The ETS pipeline comprises a 165km, 24 inch carbon steel subsea pipeline connecting the Cygnus, Trent and Tors fields to the Bacton terminal.
The 20 inch diameter, 1.1km Trent/Tyne export pipeline connects the Trent platform to the ETS subsea Wye Manifold. The 24 inch diameter, 51km Cygnus export pipeline connects the Cygnus offshore platform to the ETS Wye Manifold. The ETS pipeline runs from the ETS Wye Manifold to the onshore Bacton gas terminal.
ETS is a wet gas pipeline system, with gas processing performed at the Perenco onshore Bacton gas terminal. The Bacon terminal treats the gas to meet sales gas specification to the National Transmission System, and removes natural gas liquids for export by onshore pipelines to downstream industry and storage.
The pipeline carries gas and hydrocarbon condensates concurrently.
ETS currently serves three producing fields:
We collaborate closely with all our customers to ensure we maximise the full potential of the system and enhance throughput.
Kellas Midstream acquired a 25% interest in ETS in December 2017 and went on to acquire a further 40% interest in June 2018.
Partners in ETS are Harbour Energy (10%) and Ithaca Energy (25%).
Ithaca Energy, as Cygnus operator, operates the ETS pipeline on behalf of Kellas.
Operator: Kellas North Sea 2 Limited (wholly owned by Kellas Midstream)
Owners (equity): Kellas Midstream (65%), Ithaca Energy (25%), Harbour Energy (10%)
Statutory Operator: Ithaca (NE) E&P Limited
Kellas Midstream, with operator Ithaca Energy, is committed to managing ETS safely and responsibly.
If you are planning to work near the ETS pipeline, please contact Stefan Kent, Asset Support Manager, Kellas Midstream Limited, 6th Floor, The Capitol, 431 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6DA, tel: +44 (0) 1740 768525 for advice and to notify them of any work you are planning in the vicinity.
Following these steps will help everyone stay safe when operating near the ETS pipeline.
6th Floor, The Capitol
431 Union St
Aberdeen
AB11 6DA
Tel: +44 (0) 1224 084520
To report a pipeline emergency please call +44 (0)1642 546404 and ask for the Operations team.
