French energy company Total said Thursday it set up a solid foundation in the West of Shetland area with new development decisions.

Total, alongside its partners at state-controlled Danish energy company DONG, said it decided to start developing the Edradour gas field in the West of Shetland area and take on a 60 percent stake in the nearby Glenlivet discovery.

"Total is establishing a new strategic hub in the West of Shetland area," Patrice de Vivies, Total's senior vice president for exploration and production in Northern Europe, said in a statement.

De Vivies added the company had put the developments on hold last year because of major costs associated with the project, but has since lowered the expense through contractor negotiations.

Edradour has a peak output of around 17,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and should begin service in late 2017.

No reserve estimate was offered for Glenlivet. Total said it was working on a development concept and a decision on the field is expected "shortly."