Cost Estimating for Offshore Oil & Gas Facility Decommissioning
Detailed guide: Oil and gas: decommissioning of offshore ...
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Detailed guide: Oil and gas: decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines Updated: Approval of Close out Report Overview The decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) is controlled through the Petroleum Act 1998 . The responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the Petroleum Act 1998 are complied with rests with the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) which sits within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Owners of oil and gas installations and pipelines are required to decommission their offshore infrastructure at the end of a field’s economic life and the 1998 Act requires owners to set out the measures to decommission disused installations and/or pipelines in a decommissioning programme. A decommissioning programme must identify all the items of equipment, infrastructure and materials that have been installed or drilled and describe the decommissioning solution for each. OPRED aims to be transparent in its consideration of decommissioning programmes. As a result members of the public, other organisations, non- governmental organisations and other government departments or agencies are invited to comment on the proposals set out in a programme. Details of the current programmes under consideration are noted in the table below. OPRED provides guidance on the regulatory requirements for decommissioning, Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning Guidance Notes May 2018 (PDF, 1.09MB, 124 pages) . Final guidance on the Environmental Considerations for Decommissioning (section 12) will follow shortly, meantime draft guidance can be found here: Section 12 (MS Word Document, 142KB) .
Transcript of Detailed guide: Oil and gas: decommissioning of offshore ...
Detailed guide: Oil and gas:decommissioning of offshoreinstallations and pipelines
Updated: Approval of Close out Report
OverviewThe decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines onthe United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) is controlled through thePetroleum Act 1998.
The responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the Petroleum Act1998 are complied with rests with the Offshore Petroleum Regulator forEnvironment and Decommissioning (OPRED) which sits within the Department forBusiness, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Owners of oil and gas installations and pipelines are required todecommission their offshore infrastructure at the end of a field’s economiclife and the 1998 Act requires owners to set out the measures to decommissiondisused installations and/or pipelines in a decommissioning programme.
A decommissioning programme must identify all the items of equipment,infrastructure and materials that have been installed or drilled and describethe decommissioning solution for each.
OPRED aims to be transparent in its consideration of decommissioningprogrammes. As a result members of the public, other organisations, non-governmental organisations and other government departments or agencies areinvited to comment on the proposals set out in a programme.
Details of the current programmes under consideration are noted in the tablebelow.
OPRED provides guidance on the regulatory requirements for decommissioning,Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning Guidance Notes May 2018(PDF, 1.09MB, 124 pages)
. Final guidance on the Environmental Considerations for Decommissioning(section 12) will follow shortly, meantime draft guidance can be found here:Section 12(MS Word Document, 142KB)
.
Table of draft decommissioning programmes underconsideration
Field Name Field Operator Status Main points of theprogramme Details
Viking VDP2(Viking BravoHub, VikingSatellitesKD, LD, ARand Vixen VM)
ConocoPhillips(U.K.) Limited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Removal to shore ofthe Viking BravoHub and VikingSatellites KD, LDand AR topsides andjackets and VictorJM subsea manifoldforrecycling/disposal.Wells to be pluggedand abandoned.Pipelines to bedecommissioned insitu. Allmattresses onpipelines to remainin situ.
VDP2DecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 3.29MB,80 pages)
VDP2ComparativeAssessment(PDF, 3.09MB,167 pages)
VDP2EnvironmentalStatement(PDF, 13.5MB,420 pages)
Viking VDP3(Victor JDand JM)
ConocoPhillips(U.K.) Limited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Removal to shore ofthe Victor JDtopsides andjackets and VictorJM subsea manifoldforrecycling/disposal.Wells to be pluggedand abandoned.Pipelines to bedecommissioned insitu. Allmattresses onpipelines to remainin situ.
VDP3DecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 1.78MB,49 pages)
VDP3ComparativeAssessment(PDF, 3.09MB,167 pages)
VDP3EnvironmentalStatement(PDF, 13.5MB,420 pages)
Dunlin AlphaField
FairfieldBetula Limited
Draftprogrammeunderconsideration
Decommissioning insitu of DunlinAlpha concretegravity basedstructure andstorage cells. Fullremoval of DunlinAlpha topsides forreuse or recycling.
Dunlin AlphaDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 6.5MB, 77pages)
Dunlin AlphaDecommissioningComparativeAssessmentReport(PDF, 3.66MB,133 pages)
Dunlin AlphaDecommissioningEnvironmentalAppraisal(PDF, 5.04MB,155 pages)
BeatriceField
Repsol SinopecResources UKLimited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Topsides, jacketsand the drillingtemplate will beremoved andrecycled ordisposed onshore.Wells will beplugged andabandoned. Trenchedand buriedpipelines willremain in situ. Anyexposed sectionswill undergotrenching andburial, rockcovering or be cutout and removed toshore. A smallsection of drillcuttings will beleft in situ.Concrete mattressesand grout bags willbe recovered toshore for reuse,recycling ordisposal.
BeatriceDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 5.13MB,81 pages)
BeatriceComparativeAssessmentReport(PDF, 3.3MB, 98pages)
BeatriceEnvironmentalAssessmentReport(PDF, 15.9MB,255 pages)
Tyne SouthInstallations
Perenco UKLimited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Removal to shore ofthe Tyne Southtopsides, jacketand subseainstallation forre-use orrecycling.
Tyne SouthInstallationsDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 1.86MB,40 pages)
Tyne SouthInstallationsEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(PDF, 8.75MB,223 pages)
GuinevereInstallation
Perenco UKLimited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Removal to shore ofthe Guineveretopsides and jacketfor re-use orrecycling.
GuinevereInstallationDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 1.68MB,41 pages)
GuinevereInstallationEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(PDF, 5.95MB,149 pages)
Curlew andCurlew CFields
Shell (U.K.)Limited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Removal to shore ofthe Curlew FPSO,mid-water arch andmooring system forrecycling/disposal.Removal to shore ofsubsea manifold,Curlew C WHPS andsubsea pipelinestructures forrecycling/disposal.Subsea wells to beplugged andabandoned. Alltrenched and buriedpipelines will bedecommissioned in-situ with pipelineand umbilical endscut or lowered andcovered. Alljumpers, spools andconcrete mattresseswill be recoveredto shore forrecycling/disposal.
Curlew andCurlew CDecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 2.49MB,61 pages)
Curlew andCurlew CComparativeAssessment(PDF, 3.08MB,85 pages)
Curlew andCurlew CEnvironmentalStatement(PDF, 7.77MB,196 pages)
WindermereField
INEOS UK SNSLimited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Topsides and jacketwill be removed andrecycled ordisposed onshore.The pipelines willbe partiallyremoved, theexposed sectionsadjacent to theplatforms will beremoved andrecycled ordisposed onshore.The exposed endswill be lowered toachieve adequatedepth of coverage.The existing buriedsections ofumbilical will beleft in situ. Allconcrete mattressesand grout bags willbe recovered toshore for reuse,recycling ordisposal.
WindermereDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 2.39MB,38 pages)
WindermereComparativeAssessment(PDF, 1.49MB,34 pages)
WindermereEnvironmentalStatement(PDF, 10.2MB,235 pages)
Bains FieldSpirit EnergyProduction UKLtd
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
All SubseaInstallations willbe removed. Bothpipelines will beleft in situ exceptfor short exposedsections.
BainsDecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 1.94MB,30 pages)
BainsComparativeAssessment(PDF, 1.68MB,40 pages)
BainsEnvironmentalAppraisal(PDF, 3.61MB,61 pages)
Jacky Field Ithaca Energy(UK) Limited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Platform & MidlineTee Structure willbe removed andtransported toshore for re-use orrecycling. Subseawells will beplugged andabandoned using adrilling rig.Pipelines aretrenched and buriedand will remain insitu.
JackyDecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 1.86MB,50 pages)
JackyComparativeAssessment(PDF, 1.32MB,31 pages)
JackyEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(PDF, 8.83MB,135 pages)
East Brae andBraemar
Marathon OilUK LLC
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Removal of EastBrae topsides andremoval of jacketsto the top of thefootings. Removalof Braemar subseainstallations.Pipelines to bedecommissioned bypartial removal andleave in situ.
East Brae AndBraemarDecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 10.3MB,74 pages)
East Brae andBraemarEnvironmentalStatement –Main Report(PDF, 14.5MB,78 pages)
East Brae andBraemarEnvironmentalStatement –TechnicalAppendices(PDF, 12.8MB,96 pages)
East Brae Sub-structuresComparativeAssessment(PDF, 5.96MB,39 pages)
Brae AreaSubsea AssetsComparativeAssessment(PDF, 6.84MB,43 pages)
Brae Alpha,Brae Bravo,Central Brae,West Brae andSedgwick
Marathon OilUK LLC
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Removal of BraeAlpha and BraeBravo jackets tothe top of thefootings.Removal of CentralBrae, West Brae andSedgwick subseainstallations.Pipelines to bedecommissioned in avariety of waysincluding removal,trenching and leavein situ.
Brae Alpha,Brae Bravo,Central Brae,West Brae andSedgwickDecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 15.3MB,120 pages)
Brae A etc,EnvironmentalStatement –Main Report(PDF, 14.6MB,80 pages)
Brae A etc.EnvironmentalStatement –TechnicalAppendices(PDF, 13.3MB,96 pages)
Brae A Sub-structureComparativeAssessment(PDF, 5.27MB,34 pages)
Brae B Sub-structureComparativeAssessment(PDF, 5.44MB,34 pages)
Brae AreaSubsea AssetsComparativeAssessment(PDF, 6.84MB,43 pages)
Ninian NorthPlatform CNR
Draftprogrammeunderconsideration
Topsides will beremoved andrecovered to shore.Partial removal ofthe Jacket tobetween 77.5 and88.5m below LAT.Decommissioning insitu of jacketfootings.
Ninian NorthPlatformDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 1.8MB, 61pages)
Ninian NorthPlatformEnvironmentalStatement(PDF, 7.82MB,229 pages)
Ninian NorthPlatformComparativeAssessment(PDF, 2.75MB,92 pages)
Brent Shell U.K.Limited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Removal of upperpart of Brent Alphasteel jacket to84.5m below sealevel.Decommissioning insitu of Brent Alphajacket footings.Decommissioning insitu of BrentBravo, Charlie andDelta concretegravity basedstructures.Pipelines severaldecommissioningoptions.
BrentDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 12MB, 322pages)
Brent ES(PDF, 12.5MB,475 pages)
Brent EIA(PDF, 5.05MB,429 pages)
Brent ESAppendix(PDF, 2.52MB,45 pages)
A suite ofdetailedTechnicalDocuments whichsupport theDecommissioningProgrammesdocuments areavailable onthe ShellWebsite
Atlantic andCromarty
BG GlobalEnergy Limitedand HessLimited
Draftprogrammesunderconsideration
Manifold and Wellhead Protectionstructures (WHPS)to be removed forrecycling/disposal.Partial removal ofpipelines andremaining sectionof buried/trenchedpipelines to remainin situ.
Atlantic &CromartyDecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 1.76MB,50 pages)
Atlantic &CromartyStakeholderReport(PDF, 1.11MB,32 pages)
Atlantic &CromartyEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(PDF, 4.5MB,109 pages)
Atlantic &CromartyComparativeAssessment(PDF, 2.06MB,110 pages)
Table of approved decommissioning programmes
Field Name Operator atapproval
Operatorfollowinglicence /companychange
Main installationsdecommissioned Approved option Year of
approval
Brae BravoTopsides, FlareBridge, FlareTower and FlareJacket andSubstructure(PDF, 4.9MB, 52pages)
Marathon OilUK LLC –
Brae BravoTopsides, FlareBridge, Flare Towerand FlareJacket/Substructure
Removal to shorefor either re-useor recycling
August2018
Brent Alpha,Bravo andCharlieTopsides(PDF, 3.34MB,81 pages)
Shell U.K.Limited –
Brent Alpha, BrentBravo and BrentCharlie Topsides
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
August2018
Stirling A33WHPSDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 1.13MB,27 pages)
Premier OilE&P UK Limited – Subsea installation Removal to shore
for recycling May 2018
Ann and Alison(PDF, 2.98MB,60 pages)
Spirit EnergyNorth SeaLimited
–
Subseainstallations
Removal to shorefor either re-useor recycling
April2018
Pipelines
Buried and stablepipelines left insitu. Surface laidpipelines removedto shore for re-useor recycling
April2018
Saturn(Annabel)(PDF, 2.49MB,47 pages)
Spirit EnergyNorth SeaLimited
–
Subseainstallations
Removal to shorefor either re-useor recycling
April2018
Pipelines
Buried and stablepipelines left insitu. Surface laidpipelines removedto shore for re-useor recycling
April2018
Audrey(PDF, 2.87MB,58 pages)
Spirit EnergyNorth SeaLimited
–
2 fixed platforms
Removal of topsidesand jackets toshore for recyclingor disposal
April2018
Pipelines
Buried and stablepipelinesdecommissioned insitu. Surface laidpipelines removedto shore for re-useor recycling
April2018
RevDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 12MB, 42pages)
Repsol NorgeAS – Pipelines
Fully buried andstable pipeline tobe left in situ.All other pipelinesto be removed. Allmattresses onpipelines to beremoved
April2018
Markham ST-1(PDF, 2.39MB,49 pages)
CentricaProductionNederland B.V.
–
Fixed PlatformRemoval to shorefor either re-useor recycling
February2018
PipelinesTwo pipelines to bedecommissioned insitu
February2018
Osprey(PDF, 3.92MB,68 pages)
FairfieldFagus Limited –
Subsea Installation
Removed andrecovered to shoreforrecycling/disposal
December2017
Pipelines
Full removal withthe exception ofthe Bundles,Umbilical Riserswithin the DunlinAlpha ConcreteGravity BasedStructure or thosetrenched and rockdumped
December2017
Merlin(PDF, 2.97MB,56 pages)
FairfieldFagus Limited –
Subsea Installation
Removed andrecovered to shoreforrecycling/disposal
December2017
Pipelines
Full removal withthe exception oftrenched and rockdumped Pipelinesand Umbilicals andUmbilical Riserwithin the DunlinAlpha ConcreteGravity BasedStructure
December2017
Dunlin Fuel GasImport (DFGI)and DunlinPower Import(DPI)(PDF, 3.48MB,54 pages)
FairfieldFagus Limited –
Subsea Installation
Removed andrecovered to shoreforrecycling/disposal
December2017
Pipelines
Full removal withthe exception oftrenched and buriedPipelines and RigidRiser and RiserCable within theDunlin AlphaConcrete GravityBased Structure
December2017
VikingSatellites CD,DD, ED, GD, HDPipelines(PDF, 6.77MB,32 pages)
ConocoPhillips(U.K.) Limited – Pipelines
All pipelines andassociatedmattresses toremain in situ
November2017
LOGGSSatellitesVulcan UR,Viscount VO,Vampire OD –LDP1(PDF, 17.5MB,61 pages)
ConocoPhillips(U.K.) Limited –
3 x fixed platforms– Vulcan UR,Viscount VO andVampire OD
Removal to shore oftopsides andjackets forrecycling/disposal
November2017
Pipelines
All pipelines andassociatedmattresses toremain in situ
November2017
Leman BHDecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 4.66MB,46 pages)
Shell U.K.Limited – 1 x platform
Removal to shorefor either re-useor recycling
April2017
Ettrick andBlackbird(PDF, 2.1MB, 62pages)
NexenPetroleum UKLimited
–
FPSORemoval for re-useat differentlocation
March2017
Subsea EquipmentRemoval to shorefor either re-useor recycling
March2017
Pipelines
Removal to shorefor either re-useor recycling;buried pipelines tobe left in-situ
March2017
Ann A4DecommissioningProgramme(PDF, 1.37MB,29 pages)
Centrica NorthSea Limited –
A4 WellheadProtectionStructure
Removal to shorefor either re-useor recycling
February2017
Janice James &Affleck(PDF, 3.8MB,115 pages)
Maersk Oil UKLimited –
FPSO Removal forrecycling
September2016
Subsea EquipmentRemoval to shorefor either re-useor recycling
September2016
Pipelines
Removal to shorefor either re-useor recycling;buried pipelines tobe left in-situ
September2016
AthenaDecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 3.88MB,70 pages)
Ithaca Energy(UK) Limited –
FPSORemoval for re-useat differentlocation
September2016
Subsea EquipmentRemoval to shorefor either re-useor recycling
September2016
Pipelines
All 32 pipeline tobe removed andreturned to shorefor re-use orrecycling
September2016
VikingPlatforms(PDF, 3.53MB,40 pages)
ConocoPhillips(U.K.) Limited –
5 x fixed platformsViking CD, DD, ED,GD, HD
Removal to shore oftopsides andjackets forrecycling/disposal
September2016
Leadon(PDF, 1.71MB,53 pages)
Maersk OilNorth Sea UKLimited
–
FPSORemoval for re-useat differentlocation
March2016
Subsea
Removal of 2 xbundle towheads andmid-line structureto shore fordisposal; removalof 2 x drillcentres to shorefor disposal
March2016
Pipelines
2 x Pipelinebundles to be leftin-situ, partialremoval of gasimport pipeline
March2016
Harding STL(PDF, 2.61MB,73 pages)
Harding STLClose-OutReport(PDF, 1.62MB,26 pages)
TAQA BrataniLimited –
Harding SubmergedTurret Loading(STL) System
Harding SubmergedTurret Loading(STL) System to bereplaced by newOffshore LoadingSystem. STL to beremoved to shoreforrecycling/disposaland shuttle tankermooring and loadingbuoy interfacesreturned to owner
2015
Thames Area –Horne & Wren(PDF, 1.57MB,48 pages)
Tullow Oil SKLimited –
1x fixed platform
Removal of topsidesand jackets toshore forrecycling/disposal
November2015
Pipelines To remain buried insitu
November2015
Thames Area –Orwell(PDF, 828KB, 42pages)
Tullow Oil SKLimited –
SubseaInstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
November2015
Pipelines To remain buried insitu
November2015
Thames Area –Wissey(PDF, 1.26MB,43 pages)
Tullow Oil SKLimited –
SubseaInstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
November2015
Pipelines To remain buried insitu
November2015
Thames Area –Thames Complex(PDF, 15.9MB,76 pages)
Perenco UKLimited –
3x fixed platforms
Removal of topsidesand jackets toshore forrecycling/disposal
October2015
SubseaInstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
October2015
Pipelines To remain buried insitu
October2015
Thames Area –Gawain(PDF, 3.8MB, 47pages)
Perenco UKLimited –
SubseaInstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
October2015
Pipelines To remain buried insitu
October2015
Thames Area –Arthur(PDF, 4.41MB,46 pages)
Perenco UKLimited –
SubseaInstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
October2015
Pipelines To remain buried insitu
October2015
Brent – BrentDelta Topside(PDF, 3.55MB,72 pages)
Shell U.K.Limited – Brent Delta Topside
Removal of topsideto shore forrecycling anddisposal
July 2015
RoseDecommissioningProgrammes(PDF, 2.87MB,42 pages)
Rose Close OutReport(PDF, 3.31MB,36 pages)
CentricaResourcesLimited
–
SubseaInstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
May 2015Close OutReportApprovedOctober2018
Pipelines
Removal of sectionsof un-trenchedpipelines; trenchedpipelinesdecommissioned insitu
May 2015Close OutReportApprovedOctober2018
Stamford(PDF, 2.71MB,39 pages)
Centrica NorthSea GasLimited
–
SubseaInstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
April2015
Pipelines
Removal of sectionsof un-trenchedpipelines; trenchedpipelinesdecommissioned insitu
April2015
Murchison(PDF, 2.37MB,70 pages)
CNR –
Large SteelPlatform
Topsides and jacketto top of footingsto be removed toshore forrecycling/disposal.Footings to remainin situ
August2014
Pipelines
Export pipelinedecommissioned insitu with remedialrock placement.Infield Flowlinesto be removed forrecycling/disposal.
August2014
Rubie & Renee(PDF, 2.47MB,50 pages)
EndeavourEnergy UKLimited
–
SubseaInstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
April2014
Pipelines Selective Recovery April2014
Miller(PDF, 6.57MB,198 pages)
BP Exploration(Alpha)Limited
Large SteelPlatform
Footings to remainin place, steeltopsides and jacketto top of footingsto be removed toshore
December2013
Schiehallion &Loyal Phase One(PDF, 1.84MB,60 pages)
BritoilLimited –
Schiehallion FPSO Removal forpotential re-use 2013
Pipelines
Recovery wherepossible.Productionflowlines to beleft in situ.
2013
IVRR –decommissoningprogramme(PDF, 1.57MB,102 pages)
IVRR Close OutReport(PDF, 4.74MB,35 pages)
Hess limited –
FPSORemoval for re-useat differentlocation
2013
Subseainstallations
Removal to shoreforrecycling/disposal
2013
Pipelines Selective recovery 2013
Camelot(PDF, 488KB, 39pages)
Camelot Closeout report(PDF, 2.27MB,41 pages)
EnergyResourceTechnology(UK) Limited
–
Small SteelPlatform
Removal to shorefor recycling /disposal
2012
PipelinesPipelinesdecommissioned insitu
2012
Fife, Flora,Fergus, Angus:decommissioningprogramme(PDF, 8.36MB,135 pages)
FFFA Close OutReport(PDF, 1.49MB,33 pages)
Hess Limited –
FPSORemoved for re-useat differentlocation
2012
Subseainstallations
Removal to shorefor recycling /disposal
2012
Pipelines
Full removal of un-trenched pipelines;trenched pipelinesdecommissioned insitu
2012
DonBritoil PublicLimitedCompany
–
Subsea installationRemoval to shorefor recycling /disposal
2011
PipelinesDecommissioned insitu with selectiverecovery
2011
Welland Perenco UKLimited
Perenco UKLimited
Small SteelPlatform
Removal for re-useoutside of UKwaters
2010
PipelinesDecommissioned insitu with selectiverecovery
2010
Tristan NWClose outreport
SilverstoneEnergy Limited
BridgeEnergy UKLimited
Subsea installation Removal to shorefor recycling
2010;close-outreportreceivedJanuary2011
Pipelines
Production pipelinewith piggy-backedumbilical – leavein situ; jumpers,spool pieces andassociated pipelineequipment – removeto shore for re-useor recycling
2010;close-outreportreceivedJanuary2011
ShelleyClose outreport
Premier Oil –
Sevan Voyageur FPSOTow away for futureuse at anotherlocation
2010;close-outreportreceivedFebruary2012
Manifold andWellhead
Remove to shore forre-use, recyclingor disposal
2010;close-outreportreceivedFebruary2012
Pipelines
Production pipeline– leave in situ;umbilical – removein sections
2010;close-outreportreceivedFebruary2012
Kittiwake SALExport SystemClose outreport
Venture NorthSea OilLimited
–
Kittiwake SALAssembly
SAL Assembly –removal to shorefor re-use.Revision toapproveddecommissioningprogramme:Completion of theremoval of the SALAssembly extendedto 31 July 2012
2009;close-outreportreceivedJuly 2012
PipelinesPipeline – flexibleflowline removed toshore for re-use
2009;close-outreportreceivedJuly 2012
MCP-01Close outreport
Total E& P UKLimited –
Manifold &CompressionPlatform
Permit granted forthe disposal in-situ of theconcretesubstructure;topsides to beremoved to shorefor re-use,recycling ordisposal
2008;close-outreportreceivedMarch2013
KittiwakeLoading Buoy
Venture NorthSea OilLimited
–Exposed LocationSingle Buoy MooringSystem (ELSBM)
Removals to shorefor recycling ordisposal
2008
Linnhe(PDF, 2.25MB,66 pages)
</p>Linnhe CloseOut Report(PDF, 1000KB,22 pages)
Mobil NorthSea LLC –
Wellhead ProtectionStructure
Removal to shore.Revision toapproveddecommissioningprogramme:completion of theremoval of theWellhead ProtectionStructure extendedto 30 June 2010
2008;year ofrevisedapproval:2010
Pipelines
Decommissioned insitu; pipelinesections outsidetrenches removed toshore. Revision toapproveddecommissioningprogramme:completion of theabandonment of thepipelines extendedto 30 June 2010
2008;year ofrevisedapproval:2010
Indefatigable(Shell)(PDF, 11.6MB,224 pages)
</p>Close OutReport(PDF, 2.47MB,64 pages)
Shell U.K.Limited –
6 x fixed steelplatforms Removal to shore 2007
Pipelines
2 x hose bundlesremoval to shore; 5x infield + exportdecommissioned insitu
2007
NW Hutton:decommissioningprogramme(PDF, 14.9MB,320 pages)
Close OutReport(PDF, 2.52MB,32 pages)
Amoco (U.K.)ExplorationCompany – nowa subsidiaryof BP plc
–
Large SteelPlatform
Footings to remainin place, steeltopsides and jacketto top of footingsto be removed toshore
2006
Pipelines Decommissioned insitu 2006
Ardmore
BritishAmericanOffshoreLimited
– Mobile Jack-Up Rig Re-use 2005
Ardmore Ugland NordicShipping AS –
Single AnchorLoading Systems
Re-use/removal toshore 2005
Pipelines Re-use 2005
Ardmore Acorn Oil &Gas Limited –
Subsea equipmentincluding guideframe
Removal to shore 2005
Brent Shell – Brent FlareRemovals to shorefor recycling anddisposal
2004
BeatriceTalismanEnergy (UK)Limited
– Fixed SteelPlatforms Re-use 2004
Forbes andGordon InfieldPipelines
BHP Billiton – Infield Pipelines
Decommission insitu – retrench anyarea of pipelinewith less than 0.4mdepth of cover
2003;close-outreportreceivedMay 2005
Frigg TP1, QP &CDP1Close outreport
Total E&PNorge AS –
Treatment Platform1 (TP1), QuartersPlatform (QP) andConcrete DrillingPlatform 1 (CDP1)
Concretesubstructures toremain in place;concrete topsidesto be removed toshore; steelinstallations to beremoved to shore;infield pipelinesto be removed toshore
2003
Durward andDauntless Amerada Hess – Pipelines Decommissioned in
situ 2002
Hutton Kerr-McGee –
Tension LegPlatform Re-use
2002;close-outreportreceivedJuly 2004
Pipelines
1 x removal toshore; 1 xdecommissioned insitu (with futuremonitoringprogramme)
2002;close-outreportreceivedJuly 2004
Camelot CB ExxonMobil – Fixed SteelPlatform
Re-use or removalto shore forrecycling. Revisionto approveddecommissioningoption: removal toshore fordismantling andrecycling
2001.Year ofrevisedapproval:2002
Blenheim andBladon Talisman –
FPSO Re-use 2000Pipelines Removal to shore 2000
Durward andDauntless Amerada Hess –
FPSO Re-use 2000Subsea Facilities Removal to shore 2000
Maureen andMoira Phillips –
Large Steel GravityPlatform
Removal to shorefor re-use orrecycling
2000
Concrete LoadingColumn
Removal to shorefor re-use orrecycling
2000
Pipelines
2 x removal toshore;1 xdecommissioned insitu
2000
Brent Spar Shell – Oil Storage andLoading Facility
Re-use as part ofquay extension.Revision toapproveddecommissioningoption: Brent SparAnchor Blocks –removal to shorefor reuse,recycling ordisposal 1998
Year ofrevisedapproval:2004
Donan BP – FPSO Re-use 1998
Fulmar SALM Shell –
Single Anchor LegMooring Buoy Removal to shore 1998
16” Pipeline Decommissioned insitu 1998
Emerald MSR –FPSO Re-use 1996
Pipeline Decommissioned insitu 1996
Frigg FP Elf Norge TotalFinaElfNorge Flare Column Removal to shore 1996
Leman BK Shell – Fixed SteelPlatform Removal to shore 1996
Staffa Lasmo – Pipelines Removal to shore 1996Viking AC, AD,AP & FD Conoco – 4 x Fixed Steel
Platform Removal to shore 1996
Esmond CP & CW BHP – 2 x Fixed SteelPlatform Removal to shore 1995
Gordon BW BHP – Fixed SteelPlatform Removal to shore 1995
Angus Amerada Hess –
FloatingProduction, Storageand Offloading(FPSO) Vessel
Re-use 1993
Forbes AW Hamilton BHP Fixed SteelPlatform Removal to shore 1993
Argyll, Duncanand Innes Hamilton BHP
FloatingProduction,Facility (FPF)
Removal to shore 1992
Catenary Anchor LegMooring (CALM) Buoy Removal to shore 1992
Pipelines Removal to shore 1992
Blair Sun Oil AGIP Pipelines1 x Re-use; 1 xDecommissioned insitu
1992
Crawford Hamilton Oil BHP
FloatingProduction,Facility (FPF)
Removal to shore 1991
Catenary Anchor LegMooring (CALM) Buoy Removal to shore 1991
Subsea Facilities Removal to shore 1991
Piper Alpha Occidental Talisman Fixed SteelPlatform Toppling 1988
Notification of disused pipelines(the DPN form has been amended – July 2017)
During the course of a field’s life, pipelines/sections of pipelines may betaken out of use, e.g. due to corrosion, problems with reservoir pressure,damage to the pipeline, etc. When this happens, under the Petroleum Act 1998the Secretary of State has the option of immediately calling for a fulldecommissioning programme. This is not always considered an appropriateoption however, and so it has been agreed consideration will be given tohandling suitable pipelines, under an informal decommissioning regime,thereby deferring a formal programme until the end of the field’s life.
If a formal decommissioning programme is not immediately deemed suitable,
details of the out of use pipeline(s) will be circulated to other governmentdepartments for comment. Following this, OPRED will decide one of thefollowing:
we are content with the proposals for monitoring and maintaining theout-of-use pipelinewe request additional information or further remedial actionwe request a formal decommissioning programme
The Interim Pipeline Regime is intended to ensure out of use lines do notpose a risk to other users of the sea or the environment and that they arecovered by an appropriate surveying and maintenance regime from the pointwhen they are taken out of use until approval of the formal decommissioningprogramme, which is usually at the end of field life. It should be noted thatany interim solution should not prejudice the final decommissioning optionsfor that line, including complete removal. The department expects Operatorsto submit details of out of use pipelines/sections of a pipeline as soon asthey are taken out of use.
Operators are reminded that any works that are proposed on any pipelinesunder the Pipeline Works Authorisation regime, as per their Terms andConditions of the PWA, must have a Legal Consent in place before works cancommence which includes but is not exclusive to any proposed decommissioningworks. Consents are issued by the Oil & Gas Authority and Operators arerequested to contact Claire Grant on any queries that they may have relatingto Legal Consents. Further Guidance can also be found on the Oil & GasAuthority website:https://www.ogauthority.co.uk/licensing-consents/consents/pipeline-works-authorisations/
Once the necessary legal consent has been issued by OGA, Consents &Authorisations Section, Operators are to email a completedDisused pipeline notification form(MS Word Document, 81.7KB)
to The Offshore Decommissioning Unit, OPRED,BEIS.
If you are an Operator, aware of any out of use pipelines that have not beenreferred to the department, please submit a completed DPN form at yourearliest convenience.
Following confirmation a pipeline has been accepted under the InterimPipeline Regime, the Offshore Decommissioning Unit will continue to monitorthe condition of the pipeline by asking the Operator to confirm the status ofthe pipeline remains unchanged following future surveys.
Further informationA list of all installations on the UKCS and their current status is availablefrom the OSPAR Website
At the first ministerial meeting of the Commission for the Protection of the
Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic (OSPAR) in 1998, a bindingdecision was agreed that set rules for the disposal of offshore installationsat sea. Under the decision the dumping and leaving wholly or partly in placeof offshore installations is prohibited. Decision 98/3 recognises it may bedifficult to remove the ‘footings’ of large steel jackets weighing more than10,000 and concrete installations. As a result there are derogations forthese categories of installations if the internationally agreed assessmentand consultation process shows leaving them in place is justifiable.
OPRED has utilised streamlined decommissioning programme templates forderogation and non-derogation cases, Operators will therefore have a choicewhether to submit a decommissioning programme in the existing format (seeAnnex C of the Guidance Notes ‘Format and Content’) or adopt the streamlineddecommissioning programme template. Operators should discuss individual caseswith OPRED.
AStreamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non-Derogation Cases)(PDF, 1.36MB, 33 pages)
is available – (December 2015).
AStreamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Derogation Cases)(PDF, 1.5MB, 36 pages)
is also available (December 2015).
A word version of these templates can also be requested from OPRED. Pleaseemail The Offshore Decommissioning Unit for further details.
Cost recoveryOPRED will charge a fee in respect of offshore (oil and gas) installationsand pipelines decommissioning programmes under the Petroleum Act 1998.Guidance, including the indicative fee structure, is available inGuidance on charging a fee for offshore (oil and gas) installations andpipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998(PDF, 308KB, 9 pages)
