SHETLAND-focused Hurricane Energy has provided a boost for the North Sea oil and gas industry by announcing it has made another big find west of the islands.

Hurricane said a well on the Halifax prospect had struck an oil column which extended for one kilometre beneath the seabed.

Chief executive Robert Trice said the find was a highly significant moment for Surrey-based Hurricane, which has made two other discoveries in the relatively under-explored waters off Shetland.