TOTAL, the French energy giant, has announced a major gas discovery off the west of Shetland.

The oil and gas firm says the find on the Glendronach prospect could deliver around one trillion cubic feet of recoverable resources.

Wood Mackenzie North Sea research analyst Kevin Swann estimated that the fuel could contribute as much as 10% of the UK’s annual gas production in its early years.

Friends of the Earth Scotland has called the discovery “incompatible with a country and a world that takes climate action seriously”.

Arnaud Breuillac, Total’s president of exploration and production, said, given the discovery’s closeness to existing sites, that they were confident it could be developed quickly and at low cost.

“Glendronach is a significant discovery for Total which gives us access to additional gas resources in one of our core areas and validates our exploration strategy,” he said. “Located on an emerging play of the prolific west of Shetland area, the discovery can be commercialised quickly and at low cost by leveraging the existing Laggan-Tormore infrastructure.”

Total has a 60% stake in Glendronach, with Ineos and SSE holding 20% each. The company said the discovery would also extend the life of the West of Shetland infrastructure and production hub which includes the Laggan, Tormore, Edradour and Glenlivet fields, which contribute roughly 7% of the UK’s gas. Total shares were up 0.9% on the news. After the downturn, the big energy firms are being cautious with their investments.

Most of the activity in the North Sea in recent years has come from older fields being sold to smaller companies who have the time and the inclination to squeeze out any remaining value.

Oil and Gas UK chief executive Deirdre Michie said: “The focus on quick commercialisation of this find, made viable by the UKCS’ existing infrastructure, provides motivation for investors as well as industry.

“It also highlights what can be achieved when companies maximise the potential yield from their existing blocks.

“This increased activity is critical as we look to maximise economic recovery from the UK Continental Shelf and realise Vision 2035.”

Friends of the Earth’s Richard Dixon called for the gas to be left where it is. “This exploitation of this new gas discovery off the coast of Shetland is incompatible with a country and a world that takes climate action seriously,” he said.

“The world cannot afford to burn even a fraction of the fossil fuels we already know about. Fossil fuel firms should not be searching for and exploiting new reserves, this summer of extreme weather has shown we are long past the time for business as usual.

“On the same day the Scottish Government is urged by its own climate advisers to do more to cut emissions, it needs to end further oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.”