BEIS publishes new search-able schedule of North Sea oil and gas decommissioning projects under consideration

Shell Brent field decommissioning graphic
Shell Brent field decommissioning graphic. Three of the four Brent platforms are shutdown having reached the end of their economic life. BEIS is considering Shell’s plea for an exception to the OSPAR convention of ‘full jacket removal’.

This is the latest table of draft decommissioning programmes under consideration for approval by BEIS.

  • Meanwhile, Neptune Energy Group – the new North Sea oil and  gas player formed by the buy-out of ENGIE assets earlier this year – has appointed David Hemmings as vice-president of business development.

He joins Rothschild & Co where he most recently held the position of managing director in the energy and power team, with a focus on the oil and gas sector.

  • Aberdeen oil and gas consultancy Xodus Group has appointed Peter Tipler as its renewables director to help drive growth across the sector.

Having been with Xodus for almost 10 years, Tipler has worked across several roles in the company’s renewable energy, environment and decommissioning divisions.

He said: “We have a long history of working in the renewables sector. Our view is that offshore renewable energy is a fundamental part of the global future energy mix. We aren’t waiting for it to happen, we are making it happen.”

 

13 Jun 2018

Field Name Field Operator Status Main points of the programme Details
Windermere Field INEOS UK SNS Limited Draft programmes under consideration Topsides and jacket will be removed and recycled or disposed onshore. The pipelines will be partially removed, the exposed sections adjacent to the platforms will be removed and recycled or disposed onshore. The exposed ends will be lowered to achieve adequate depth of coverage. The existing buried sections of umbilical will be left in situ. All concrete mattresses and grout bags will be recovered to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal. Windermere Decommissioning Pgoramme (PDF, 2.39MB, 38 pages) 
Windermere Comparative Assessment (PDF, 1.49MB, 34 pages) Windermere Environmental Statement(PDF, 10.2MB, 235 pages)
Bains Field Spirit Energy Production UK Ltd Draft programmes under consideration All Subsea Installations will be removed. Both pipelines will be left in situ except for short exposed sections. Bains Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 1.94MB, 30 pages) 
Bains Comparative Assessment (PDF, 1.68MB, 40 pages) Bains Environmental Appraisal(PDF, 3.61MB, 61 pages)
Jacky Field Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited Draft programmes under consideration Platform & Midline Tee Structure will be removed and transported to shore for re-use or recycling. Subsea wells will be plugged and abandoned using a drilling rig. Pipelines are trenched and buried and will remain in situ. Jacky Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 1.86MB, 50 pages) 
Jacky Comparative Assessment (PDF, 1.32MB, 31 pages) Jacky Environmental Impact Assessment (PDF, 8.83MB, 135 pages)
East Brae and Braemar Marathon Oil UK LLC Draft programmes under consideration Removal of East Brae topsides and removal of jackets to the top of the footings. Removal of Braemar subsea installations. Pipelines to be decommissioned by partial removal and leave in situ. East Brae And Braemar Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 10.3MB, 74 pages) 
East Brae and Braemar Environmental Statement – Main Report (PDF, 14.5MB, 78 pages) East Brae and Braemar Environmental Statement – Technical Appendices (PDF, 12.8MB, 96 pages) East Brae Sub-structures Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.96MB, 39 pages) Brae Area Subsea Assets Comparative Assessment(PDF, 6.84MB, 43 pages)
Brae Alpha, Brae Bravo, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick Marathon Oil UK LLC Draft programmes under consideration Removal of Brae Alpha and Brae Bravo topsides and removal of jackets to the top of the footings. Removal of Brae Bravo flare jacket/sub structure, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick subsea installations. Pipelines to be decommissioned in a variety of ways including removal, trenching and leave in situ. Brae Alpha, Brae Bravo, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 15.3MB, 120 pages) 
Brae A etc, Environmental Statement – Main Report(PDF, 14.6MB, 80 pages)Brae A etc. Environmental Statement – Technical Appendices (PDF, 13.3MB, 96 pages) Brae A Sub-structure Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.27MB, 34 pages) Brae B Sub-structure Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.44MB, 34 pages) Brae Area Subsea Assets Comparative Assessment(PDF, 6.84MB, 43 pages)
Ninian North Platform CNR Draft programme under consideration Topsides will be removed and recovered to shore. Partial removal of the Jacket to between 77.5 and 88.5m below LAT. Decommissioning in situ of jacket footings. Ninian North Platform Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 1.8MB, 61 pages) 
Ninian North Platform Environmental Statement(PDF, 7.82MB, 229 pages)Ninian North Platform Comparative Assessment(PDF, 2.75MB, 92 pages)
Brent Shell U.K. Limited Draft programmes under consideration Removal to shore of Brent Alpha, Bravo and Charlie topsides for recycling/disposal. Removal of upper part of Brent Alpha steel jacket to 84.5m below sea level. Decommissioning in situ of Brent Alpha jacket footings. Decommissioning in situ of Brent Bravo, Charlie and Delta concrete gravity based structures. Pipelines several decommissioning options. Brent Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 12MB, 322 pages) 
Brent ES (PDF, 12.5MB, 475 pages) 
Brent EIA (PDF, 5.05MB, 429 pages) 
Brent ES Appendix (PDF, 2.52MB, 45 pages) A suite of detailed Technical Documents which support the Decommissioning Programmes documents are available on the Shell Website
Atlantic and Cromarty BG Global Energy Limited and Hess Limited Draft programmes under consideration Manifold and Well head Protection structures (WHPS) to be removed for recycling/disposal. Partial removal of pipelines and remaining section of buried/trenched pipelines to remain in situ. Atlantic & Cromarty Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 1.76MB, 50 pages) 
Atlantic & Cromarty Stakeholder Report (PDF, 1.11MB, 32 pages) 
Atlantic & Cromarty Environmental Impact Assessment (PDF, 4.5MB, 109 pages) 
Atlantic & Cromarty Comparative Assessment(PDF, 2.06MB, 110 pages)

Table of approved decommissioning programmes

Field Name Operator at approval Operator following licence / company change Main installations decommissioned Approved option Year of approval
Stirling A33 WHPS Decommissioning Programme(PDF, 1.13MB, 27 pages) Premier Oil E&P UK Limited – Subsea installation Removal to shore for recycling May 2018
Ann and Alison(PDF, 2.98MB, 60 pages) Spirit Energy North Sea Limited – Subsea installations Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling April 2018
Pipelines Buried and stable pipelines left in situ. Surface laid pipelines removed to shore for re-use or recycling April 2018
Saturn (Annabel)(PDF, 2.49MB, 47 pages) Spirit Energy North Sea Limited – Subsea installations Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling April 2018
Pipelines Buried and stable pipelines left in situ. Surface laid pipelines removed to shore for re-use or recycling April 2018
Audrey (PDF, 2.87MB, 58 pages) Spirit Energy North Sea Limited – 2 fixed platforms Removal of topsides and jackets to shore for recycling or disposal April 2018
Pipelines Buried and stable pipelines decommissioned in situ. Surface laid pipelines removed to shore for re-use or recycling April 2018
Rev Decommissioning Programme(PDF, 12MB, 42 pages) Repsol Norge AS – Pipelines Fully buried and stable pipeline to be left in situ. All other pipelines to be removed. All mattresses on pipelines to be removed April 2018
Markham ST-1(PDF, 2.39MB, 49 pages) Centrica Production Nederland B.V. – Fixed Platform Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling February 2018
Pipelines Two pipelines to be decommissioned in situ February 2018
Osprey (PDF, 3.92MB, 68 pages) Fairfield Fagus Limited – Subsea Installation Removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal December 2017
Pipelines Full removal with the exception of the Bundles, Umbilical Risers within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure or those trenched and rock dumped December 2017
Merlin (PDF, 2.97MB, 56 pages) Fairfield Fagus Limited – Subsea Installation Removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal December 2017
Pipelines Full removal with the exception of trenched and rock dumped Pipelines and Umbilicals and Umbilical Riser within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure December 2017
Dunlin Fuel Gas Import (DFGI) and Dunlin Power Import (DPI)(PDF, 3.48MB, 54 pages) Fairfield Fagus Limited – Subsea Installation Removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal December 2017
Pipelines Full removal with the exception of trenched and buried Pipelines and Rigid Riser and Riser Cable within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure December 2017
Viking Satellites CD, DD, ED, GD, HD Pipelines(PDF, 6.77MB, 32 pages) ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited – Pipelines All pipelines and associated mattresses to remain in situ November 2017
LOGGS Satellites Vulcan UR, Viscount VO, Vampire OD – LDP1 (PDF, 17.5MB, 61 pages) ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited – 3 x fixed platforms – Vulcan UR, Viscount VO and Vampire OD Removal to shore of topsides and jackets for recycling/disposal November 2017
Pipelines All pipelines and associated mattresses to remain in situ November 2017
Leman BH Decommissioning Programme(PDF, 4.66MB, 46 pages) Shell U.K. Limited – 1 x platform Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling April 2017
Ettrick and Blackbird (PDF, 2.1MB, 62 pages) Nexen Petroleum UK Limited – FPSO Removal for re-use at different location March 2017
Subsea Equipment Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling March 2017
Pipelines Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling; buried pipelines to be left in-situ March 2017
Ann A4 Decommissioning Programme(PDF, 1.37MB, 29 pages) Centrica North Sea Limited – A4 Wellhead Protection Structure Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling February 2017
Janice James & Affleck (PDF, 3.8MB, 115 pages) Maersk Oil UK Limited – FPSO Removal for recycling September 2016
Subsea Equipment Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling September 2016
Pipelines Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling; buried pipelines to be left in-situ September 2016
Athena Decommissioning Programmes(PDF, 3.88MB, 70 pages) Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited – FPSO Removal for re-use at different location September 2016
Subsea Equipment Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling September 2016
Pipelines All 32 pipeline to be removed and returned to shore for re-use or recycling September 2016
Viking Platforms(PDF, 3.53MB, 40 pages) ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited – 5 x fixed platforms Viking CD, DD, ED, GD, HD Removal to shore of topsides and jackets for recycling/disposal September 2016
Leadon (PDF, 1.71MB, 53 pages) Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited – FPSO Removal for re-use at different location March 2016
Subsea Removal of 2 x bundle towheads and mid-line structure to shore for disposal; removal of 2 x drill centres to shore for disposal March 2016
Pipelines 2 x Pipeline bundles to be left in-situ, partial removal of gas import pipeline March 2016
Harding STL(PDF, 2.61MB, 73 pages)Harding STL Close-Out Report(PDF, 1.62MB, 26 pages) TAQA Bratani Limited – Harding Submerged Turret Loading (STL) System Harding Submerged Turret Loading (STL) System to be replaced by new Offshore Loading System. STL to be removed to shore for recycling/disposal and shuttle tanker mooring and loading buoy interfaces returned to owner 2015
Thames Area – Horne & Wren (PDF, 1.57MB, 48 pages) Tullow Oil SK Limited – 1x fixed platform Removal of topsides and jackets to shore for recycling/disposal November 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ November 2015
Thames Area – Orwell (PDF, 828KB, 42 pages) Tullow Oil SK Limited – Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal November 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ November 2015
Thames Area – Wissey (PDF, 1.26MB, 43 pages) Tullow Oil SK Limited – Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal November 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ November 2015
Thames Area – Thames Complex (PDF, 15.9MB, 76 pages) Perenco UK Limited – 3x fixed platforms Removal of topsides and jackets to shore for recycling/disposal October 2015
Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal October 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ October 2015
Thames Area – Gawain (PDF, 3.8MB, 47 pages) Perenco UK Limited – Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal October 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ October 2015
Thames Area – Arthur (PDF, 4.41MB, 46 pages) Perenco UK Limited – Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal October 2015
Pipelines To remain buried in situ October 2015
Brent – Brent Delta Topside(PDF, 3.55MB, 72 pages) Shell U.K. Limited – Brent Delta Topside Removal of topside to shore for recycling and disposal July 2015
Rose Decommissioning Programmes(PDF, 2.87MB, 42 pages) Centrica Resources Limited – Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal May 2015
Pipelines Removal of sections of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ May 2015
Stamford (PDF, 2.71MB, 39 pages) Centrica North Sea Gas Limited – Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal April 2015
Pipelines Removal of sections of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ April 2015
Murchison (PDF, 2.37MB, 70 pages) CNR – Large Steel Platform Topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore for recycling/disposal. Footings to remain in situ August 2014
Pipelines Export pipeline decommissioned in situ with remedial rock placement.

Infield Flowlines to be removed for recycling/disposal.

 August 2014
Rubie & Renee(PDF, 2.47MB, 50 pages) Endeavour Energy UK Limited – Subsea Installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal April 2014
Pipelines Selective Recovery April 2014
Miller (PDF, 6.57MB, 198 pages) BP Exploration (Alpha) Limited Large Steel Platform Footings to remain in place, steel topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore December 2013
Schiehallion & Loyal Phase One(PDF, 1.84MB, 60 pages) Britoil Limited – Schiehallion FPSO Removal for potential re-use 2013
Pipelines Recovery where possible. Production flowlines to be left in situ. 2013
IVRR – decommissoning programme (PDF, 1.57MB, 102 pages)IVRR Close Out Report (PDF, 4.74MB, 35 pages) Hess limited – FPSO Removal for re-use at different location 2013
Subsea installations Removal to shore for recycling/disposal 2013
Pipelines Selective recovery 2013
Camelot (PDF, 488KB, 39 pages)Camelot Close out report (PDF, 2.27MB, 41 pages) Energy Resource Technology (UK) Limited – Small Steel Platform Removal to shore for recycling / disposal 2012
Pipelines Pipelines decommissioned in situ 2012
Fife, Flora, Fergus, Angus: decommissioning programme (PDF, 8.36MB, 135 pages)FFFA Close Out Report (PDF, 1.49MB, 33 pages) Hess Limited – FPSO Removed for re-use at different location 2012
Subsea installations Removal to shore for recycling / disposal 2012
Pipelines Full removal of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ 2012
Don Britoil Public Limited Company – Subsea installation Removal to shore for recycling / disposal 2011
Pipelines Decommissioned in situ with selective recovery 2011
Welland Perenco UK Limited Perenco UK Limited Small Steel Platform Removal for re-use outside of UK waters 2010
Pipelines Decommissioned in situ with selective recovery 2010
Tristan NWClose out report Silverstone Energy Limited Bridge Energy UK Limited Subsea installation Removal to shore for recycling 2010; close-out report received January 2011
Pipelines Production pipeline with piggy-backed umbilical – leave in situ; jumpers, spool pieces and associated pipeline equipment – remove to shore for re-use or recycling 2010; close-out report received January 2011
ShelleyClose out report Premier Oil – Sevan Voyageur FPSO Tow away for future use at another location 2010; close-out report received February 2012
Manifold and Wellhead Remove to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal 2010; close-out report received February 2012
Pipelines Production pipeline – leave in situ; umbilical – remove in sections 2010; close-out report received February 2012
Kittiwake SAL Export SystemClose out report Venture North Sea Oil Limited – Kittiwake SAL Assembly SAL Assembly – removal to shore for re-use. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: Completion of the removal of the SAL Assembly extended to 31 July 2012 2009; close-out report received July 2012
Pipelines Pipeline – flexible flowline removed to shore for re-use 2009; close-out report received July 2012
MCP-01Close out report Total E& P UK Limited – Manifold & Compression Platform Permit granted for the disposal in-situ of the concrete substructure; topsides to be removed to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal 2008; close-out report received March 2013
Kittiwake Loading Buoy Venture North Sea Oil Limited – Exposed Location Single Buoy Mooring System (ELSBM) Removals to shore for recycling or disposal 2008
Linnhe (PDF, 2.25MB, 66 pages) </p>Linnhe Close Out Report (PDF, 1000KB, 22 pages) Mobil North Sea LLC – Wellhead Protection Structure Removal to shore. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: completion of the removal of the Wellhead Protection Structure extended to 30 June 2010 2008; year of revised approval: 2010
Pipelines Decommissioned in situ; pipeline sections outside trenches removed to shore. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: completion of the abandonment of the pipelines extended to 30 June 2010 2008; year of revised approval: 2010
Indefatigable (Shell) (PDF, 11.6MB, 224 pages) </p>Close Out Report(PDF, 2.47MB, 64 pages) Shell U.K. Limited – 6 x fixed steel platforms Removal to shore 2007
Pipelines 2 x hose bundles removal to shore; 5 x infield + export decommissioned in situ 2007
NW Hutton: decommissioning programme (PDF, 14.9MB, 320 pages) 
Close Out Report(PDF, 2.52MB, 32 pages)		 Amoco (U.K.) Exploration Company – now a subsidiary of BP plc – Large Steel Platform Footings to remain in place, steel topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore 2006
Pipelines Decommissioned in situ 2006
Ardmore British American Offshore Limited – Mobile Jack-Up Rig Re-use 2005
Ardmore Ugland Nordic Shipping AS – Single Anchor Loading Systems Re-use/removal to shore 2005
Pipelines Re-use 2005
Ardmore Acorn Oil & Gas Limited – Subsea equipment including guide frame Removal to shore 2005
Brent Shell – Brent Flare Removals to shore for recycling and disposal 2004
Beatrice Talisman Energy (UK) Limited – Fixed Steel Platforms Re-use 2004
Forbes and Gordon Infield Pipelines BHP Billiton – Infield Pipelines Decommission in situ – retrench any area of pipeline with less than 0.4m depth of cover 2003; close-out report received May 2005
Frigg TP1, QP & CDP1Close out report Total E&P Norge AS – Treatment Platform 1 (TP1), Quarters Platform (QP) and Concrete Drilling Platform 1 (CDP1) Concrete substructures to remain in place; concrete topsides to be removed to shore; steel installations to be removed to shore; infield pipelines to be removed to shore 2003
Durward and Dauntless Amerada Hess – Pipelines Decommissioned in situ 2002
Hutton Kerr-McGee – Tension Leg Platform Re-use 2002; close-out report received July 2004
Pipelines 1 x removal to shore; 1 x decommissioned in situ (with future monitoring programme) 2002; close-out report received July 2004
Camelot CB ExxonMobil – Fixed Steel Platform Re-use or removal to shore for recycling. Revision to approved decommissioning option: removal to shore for dismantling and recycling 2001. Year of revised approval: 2002
Blenheim and Bladon Talisman – FPSO Re-use 2000
Pipelines Removal to shore 2000
Durward and Dauntless Amerada Hess – FPSO Re-use 2000
Subsea Facilities Removal to shore 2000
Maureen and Moira Phillips – Large Steel Gravity Platform Removal to shore for re-use or recycling 2000
Concrete Loading Column Removal to shore for re-use or recycling 2000
Pipelines 2 x removal to shore;1 x decommissioned in situ 2000
Brent Spar Shell – Oil Storage and Loading Facility Re-use as part of quay extension. Revision to approved decommissioning option: Brent Spar Anchor Blocks – removal to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal 1998 Year of revised approval: 2004
Donan BP – FPSO Re-use 1998
Fulmar SALM Shell – Single Anchor Leg Mooring Buoy Removal to shore 1998
16” Pipeline Decommissioned in situ 1998
Emerald MSR – FPSO Re-use 1996
Pipeline Decommissioned in situ 1996
Frigg FP Elf Norge TotalFinaElf Norge Flare Column Removal to shore 1996
Leman BK Shell – Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1996
Staffa Lasmo – Pipelines Removal to shore 1996
Viking AC, AD, AP & FD Conoco – 4 x Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1996
Esmond CP & CW BHP – 2 x Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1995
Gordon BW BHP – Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1995
Angus Amerada Hess – Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel Re-use 1993
Forbes AW Hamilton BHP Fixed Steel Platform Removal to shore 1993
Argyll, Duncan and Innes Hamilton BHP Floating Production, Facility (FPF) Removal to shore 1992
Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) Buoy Removal to shore 1992
Pipelines Removal to shore 1992
Blair Sun Oil AGIP Pipelines 1 x Re-use; 1 x Decommissioned in situ 1992
Crawford Hamilton Oil BHP Floating Production, Facility (FPF) Removal to shore 1991
Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) Buoy Removal to shore 1991
Subsea Facilities Removal to shore 1991
Piper Alpha Occidental Talisman Fixed Steel Platform Toppling 1988

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