France-based oil company Total has discovered a “significant” gas-condensate field West of Shetland, possibly the first large discovery in an area long-touted as holding much exploration promise.

The Tormore discovery well 205/5a-1 was drilled 100 kilometres northwest of the Sollum Voe Terminal on the Shetland Islands. The Laggan discovery 15 km away was appraised by Total in 2004.

Tormore, which lies under 610 metres of water, looks set to add to the company’s U.K. reserves of 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The was drilled to 3,936 metres and tested 32 million cubic feet per day of gas.

Italian ENI, Danish DONG and Chevron join operator Total in Block 205/5a.