Guidance on decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines

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. Final guidance on the Environmental Considerations for Decommissioning (Section 12) has now been incorporated into the guidance notes Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning Guidance Notes November 2018 (PDF, 1.27MB, 138 pages) .

Consultation on our Financial Assurance Guidance for the Decommissioning of Offshore Oil and Gas Installations and Pipelines concluded on 31 March 2019. Comments are being addressed and a final draft will be published in due course. Draft Financial Assurance Guidance (PDF, 300KB, 17 pages)

The guidance outlines how the government assesses the financial capability of persons with a relevant interest in or considering taking an interest in an offshore oil or gas field. For the purposes of satisfying the Secretary of State that that person will be capable of carrying out a decommissioning programme in relation to that interest.

It explains our financial assurance policy and existing processes setting out the steps taken to assess the financial health of offshore oil and gas companies with an interest or potential interest in a field, outlining how and when we may use the statutory powers set out in the Petroleum Act 1998.

If you have any comments or questions relevant to the guidance, please email us at odu@beis.gov.uk.

Draft decommissioning programmes under consideration

Field Name	Field Operator	Status	Main points of the programme	Details
Dunlin Alpha to Cormorant Alpha Export Pipeline - PL5	Fairfield Betula Limited	Draft programme under consideration	Decommissioning in situ of trenched sections of PL5 with exposed pipeline ends cut and recovered and severed ends rock dumped. Anode skids, spools and partially buried mattresses will be recovered to shore for disposal. Groutbags, buried mattresses and existing rock cover will be decommissioned in situ.	PL5 Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 4.37MB, 67 pages)  PL5 Comparative Assessment (PDF, 3.69MB, 86 pages)  PL5 Environmental Appraisal (PDF, 3.21MB, 124 pages)
Juliet Field	Neptune E&P UKCSLimited	Draft programme under consideration	The Juliet Manifold and Wellhead Protection structure will be fully recovered to shore for reuse/recycling. The trenched and buried pipeline and umbilical will be decommissioned in situ. Surface laid sections of pipeline and umbilical such as tie in spools and control jumpers will be recovered to shore for reuse/recycling. Exposed mattresses and grout bags will be recovered to shore for reuse/recycling. Wells will be plugged and abandoned.	Juliet Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 1.76MB, 44 pages)  Juliet Comparative Assessment (PDF, 3.94MB, 46 pages)  Juliet Environmental Appraisal (PDF, 13.9MB, 142 pages)
Minke Field	Neptune E&P UKCSLimited	Draft programme under consideration	The Minke Wellhead Protection Structure will be removed and recovered to shore for reuse/recycling. The trenched and buried pipeline and umbilical will be decommissioned in situ. Small surface laid sections of pipeline and all exposed mattresses and grout bags will be recovered to shore for reuse/recycling. Wells will be plugged and abandoned.	Minke Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 1.38MB, 48 pages)  Minke Comparative Assessment (PDF, 2.67MB, 42 pages)  Minke Environmental Appraisal (PDF, 13.1MB, 117 pages)
Nevis N11 WHPS	Apache Beryl I Limited	Draft programme under consideration	Decommissioning of the Nevis N11 Wellhead Protection Structure only. Removal to shore for re-use or recycling.	Nevis N11 WHPS (PDF, 1.48MB, 25 pages)
Morecambe DP3/DP4	Spirit Energy Production UK Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Topsides and jackets will be removed and transported to shore for recycling. All wells will be plugged and abandoned. Buried pipelines will be left in situ except the exposed ends which will be cut and removed. All exposed grout bags will be recovered to shore for re-use, recycling or re-use. All exposed concrete mattresses will be recovered to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal. Existing rock will be left in situ.	Morecambe DP3/DP4 Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 2.94MB, 47 pages)  Morecambe DP3/DP4 Comparative Assessment (PDF, 3.23MB, 57 pages)  Morecambe DP3/DP4 Environmental Appraisal (PDF, 6.68MB, 103 pages)
Schooner and Ketch	Faroe Petroleum (ROGB) Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Removal to shore of the Schooner and Ketch topsides, jackets and subsea installation for recycling/disposal or possible reuse option for the topsides and jackets as offshore windfarm support facilities. Wells will be plugged and abandoned. Pipelines will be trenched and buried and decommissioned in situ. The trenched and/or buried sections of pipelines will also be decommissioned in situ. Surface laid mattresses and stabilisation features will be recovered to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal.	Ketch Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 3.65MB, 61 pages)  Ketch Comparative Assessment (PDF, 13.1MB, 59 pages)  Schooner Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 5.53MB, 62 pages)  Schooner Comparative Assessment (PDF, 9.59MB, 63 pages)  Schooner and Ketch Environmental Appraisal (PDF, 6.28MB, 220 pages)
Goldeneye	Shell U.K. Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Removal to shore of the Goldeneye topside and jacket for recycling/disposal. Wells will be plugged and abandoned. The large surface laid sections of pipeline will be trenched and buried and decommissioned in situ. The trenched and/or buried sections of pipelines will also be decommissioned in situ. The pipeline ends at the platform will be flanged, buried and/or remediated with rock cover. The Goldeneye umbilical will be recovered to shore for recycling/disposal. Surface laid mattresses and stabilisation features will be recovered to shore for recycling/disposal.	Goldeneye Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 2.35MB, 50 pages)  Goldeneye Environmental Appraisal (PDF, 4.97MB, 126 pages)  Goldeneye Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.28MB, 69 pages)
Dunlin Alpha Field	Fairfield Betula Limited	Draft programme under consideration	Decommissioning in situ of Dunlin Alpha concrete gravity based structure and storage cells.	Dunlin Alpha Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 6.5MB, 77 pages)  Dunlin Alpha Decommissioning Comparative Assessment Report(PDF, 3.66MB, 133 pages) Dunlin Alpha Decommissioning Environmental Appraisal (PDF, 5.04MB, 155 pages)
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 Programme (PDF, 2.39MB, 38 pages)  Windermere Comparative Assessment (PDF, 1.49MB, 34 pages)Windermere Environmental Statement (PDF, 10.2MB, 235 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 jackets to the top of the footings. Removal of 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 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)

Approved decommissioning programmes

Field Name	Operator at approval	Operator following licence / company change	Main installations decommissioned	Approved option	Year of approval
Dunlin Alpha Topsides (PDF, 4.97MB, 44 pages)	Fairfield Betula Limited	-	Dunlin Alpha Topsides	Removal to shore for recycling or disposal	May 2019
Hewett (PDF, 1.5MB, 21 pages)	Eni Hewett Limited	-	Vent Stack (2 x 19m pipes) & other preparatory works on 48/29B Platform & PL84	Removal to shore for recycling or disposal	April 2019
Pickerill A & B(PDF, 1.26MB, 21 pages)	Perenco Gas (UK) Limited	-	Telecommunication towers, sub-cellar deck equipment, appurtenances, caissons, associated tanks and lift pumps, supply hoses, a pipeline riser emergency shutdown valve and tertiary steelwork	Removal to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal	March 2019
Curlew B, C and D (PDF, 2.4MB, 61 pages)	Shell U.K. Limited	-	FPSO	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	March 2019
			Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	March 2019
			Pipelines	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling; buried pipelines to be left in-situ	March 2019
Viking Platforms, Vixen and associated Pipelines (VDP2)(PDF, 33.3MB, 84 pages)	ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited	-	Viking Satellites KD, LD, AR, Viking Bravo Hub BA, BC, BP, BD and Vixen sub-sea tieback	Removal to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal	January 2019
			Pipelines	Decommissioned in situ	January 2019
Victor (VDP3)(PDF, 21.1MB, 55 pages)	ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited	-	Victor Platform and subsea installation	Removal to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal	January 2019
			Pipelines	Decommissioned in situ	January 2019
Tyne South Installations(PDF, 1.83MB, 42 pages)	Perenco UK Limited	-	Topsides, jacket and subsea installation	Removal to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal	January 2019
Guinevere Installation (PDF, 2.05MB, 43 pages)	Perenco UK Limited	-	Topsides and jacket	Removal to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal	January 2019
Beatrice Decommissioning Programmes(PDF, 4.45MB, 88 pages)	Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited	-	Beatrice AP Topsides; AD, Bravo and Charlie Platforms and AD Drilling Template	Removal to shore for re-use/recycling	January 2019
			Pipelines	Buried pipelines will be left in situ. Remediation for any exposed sections.	January 2019
Bains Decommissioning Programmes(PDF, 2.57MB, 36 pages)	Spirit Energy Production UK Limited	-	Subsea Installation	Removal to shore for re-use/recycling	January 2019
			Pipelines	Decommissioned in situ	January 2019
Jacky (PDF, 2.34MB, 52 pages)	Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited	-	Wellhead Platform and Midline Tee Structure	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling	October 2018
			Pipelines	Pipelines are trenched and buried and will be left in situ	October 2018
Brae Bravo Topsides, Flare Bridge, Flare Tower and Flare Jacket and Substructure(PDF, 4.9MB, 52 pages)	Marathon Oil UK LLC	-	Brae Bravo Topsides, Flare Bridge, Flare Tower and Flare Jacket/Substructure	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling	August 2018
Brent Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Topsides (PDF, 3.34MB, 81 pages)	Shell U.K. Limited	-	Brent Alpha, Brent Bravo and Brent Charlie Topsides	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	August 2018
Stirling A33 WHPSDecommissioning Programme(PDF, 1.13MB, 27 pages)   Stirling WHPSClose Out Report(PDF, 2.57MB, 15 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)   Leman BH Close Out Report (PDF, 1.71MB, 25 pages)	Shell U.K. Limited	-	1 x platform	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling	April 2017 Close Out Report Approved March 2019
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)   Brent Delta Topside Interim Close Out Report(PDF, 3.39MB, 49 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)   Rose Close Out Report (PDF, 3.31MB, 36 pages)	Centrica Resources Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	May 2015 Close Out Report Approved October 2018
			Pipelines	Removal of sections of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ	May 2015 Close Out Report Approved October 2018
Stamford (PDF, 2.71MB, 39 pages)   Stamford Close Out Report (PDF, 2.66MB, 36 pages)	Centrica North Sea Gas Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	April 2015 Close Out Report approved February 2019
			Pipelines	Removal of sections of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ	April 2015 Close Out Report approved February 2019
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)   Schiehallion & Loyal Phase One Close Out Report(PDF, 1010KB, 22 pages)	Britoil Limited	-	Schiehallion FPSO	Removal for potential re-use	2013, Close Out Report Approved May 2019
			Pipelines	Recovery where possible. Production flowlines to be left in situ	2013, Close Out Report Approved May 2019
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 NW   Close 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
Shelley   Close 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 System   Close 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-01   Close 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 & CDP1   Close 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

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 be taken out of use, e.g. due to corrosion, problems with reservoir pressure, damage to the pipeline, etc. When this happens, under the Petroleum Act 1998 the Secretary of State has the option of immediately calling for a full decommissioning programme. This is not always considered an appropriate option however, and so it has been agreed consideration will be given to handling 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 government departments for comment. Following this, OPRED will decide one of the following:

• we are content with the proposals for monitoring and maintaining the out-of-use pipeline
• we request additional information or further remedial action
• we request a formal decommissioning programme

The Interim Pipeline Regime is intended to ensure out of use lines do not pose a risk to other users of the sea or the environment and that they are covered by an appropriate surveying and maintenance regime from the point when they are taken out of use until approval of the formal decommissioning programme, which is usually at the end of field life. It should be noted that any interim solution should not prejudice the final decommissioning options for that line, including complete removal. The department expects operators to submit details of out of use pipelines/sections of a pipeline as soon as they are taken out of use.

Operators are reminded that any works that are proposed on any pipelines under the Pipeline Works Authorisation regime, as per their Terms and Conditions of the PWA, must have a legal consent in place before works can commence which includes but is not exclusive to any proposed decommissioning works. Consents are issued by the Oil & Gas Authority and operators are requested to email consents@ogauthority.co.uk on any queries that they may have relating to legal consents. Further guidance can also be found on the Oil & Gas Authority website.

Once the necessary legal consent has been issued by OGA, Consents & Authorisations Section, Operators are to email a completed Disused pipeline notification (DPN) form (MS Word Document, 81.7KB) to odu@beis.gov.uk.

If you are an operator, aware of any out of use pipelines that have not been referred to the department, please submit a completed DPN form at your earliest convenience.

Following confirmation a pipeline has been accepted under the Interim Pipeline Regime, the Offshore Decommissioning Unit will continue to monitor the condition of the pipeline by asking the Operator to confirm the status of the pipeline remains unchanged following future surveys.

Further information

A list of all installations on the UKCS and their current status is available from 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 binding decision was agreed that set rules for the disposal of offshore installations at sea. Under the decision the dumping and leaving wholly or partly in place of offshore installations is prohibited. Decision 98/3 recognises it may be difficult to remove the ‘footings’ of large steel jackets weighing more than 10,000 and concrete installations. As a result there are derogations for these categories of installations if the internationally agreed assessment and consultation process shows leaving them in place is justifiable.

OPRED has utilised decommissioning programme templates for derogation and non-derogation projects. These templates include all required content as detailed in Annex C of the guidance notes. There are also templates available which are currently being trialled for more specific and small scale decommissioning activity including rig reactivation and removal of a single Wellhead Protection Structure. Operator’s should discuss all individual cases with OPRED who will advise of the appropriate template.

A Standard Decommissioning Programme Template (Non-Derogation Cases)(PDF, 1.03MB, 34 pages) is available - (November 2018).

A Standard Decommissioning Programme Template (Derogation Cases) (PDF, 1.11MB, 37 pages) is also available (November 2018).

A word version of these templates can also be requested from OPRED. Please email odu@beis.gov.uk for further details.

Cost recovery

OPRED will charge a fee in respect of offshore (oil and gas) installations and pipelines decommissioning programmes under the Petroleum Act 1998. Guidance, including the indicative fee structure, is available in Guidance on charging a fee for offshore (oil and gas) installations and pipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998 (PDF, 308KB, 9 pages)