Reducing the Impact of Decommissioning

Decommissioning can often be a lengthy, expensive process and it is important to draw on the expertise of experienced individuals that can serve to make the decommissioning of an abandoned offshore installation as simple as possible. There are numerous techniques and, as is typical of the industry, new services are always in development, created with the intention of making abandonment of a rig simpler and more cost effective.

Claxton Engineering are at the forefront of such technology, relied upon by numerous oil drilling operators around the world to ensure that any decommissioning of platforms is carried out quickly and safely, regardless of the reason for abandonment. One such innovation is the Claxton SABRE abrasive cutting system, which was designed to sever all casings within a well at the same time while taking into account the environmental impact. The SABRE system is without doubt one of the most environmentally friendly tools in the world for quick, safe abandonment.

While the system is only one of a number of specialist services offered in the world of decommissioning, it is vitally important to any drilling company to ensure that the abandonment process is carried out cheaply and safely. Any errors have an impact not only on the company’s own bottom line, but can also lead to conflicts with international regulations if the project is not thoroughly managed. Aside from the financial aspects, many companies will also hold their own environmental policies. The scrutiny under which such companies are held means that their responsibilities are magnified in the eyes of stakeholders and regulators.

On some occasions, it is simply not possible to remove a structure entirely. Larger structures, and particularly those that are buried deep into the sea bed, will offer fewer options for removal. There can be negative aspects to doing so, such as the impossibility of reusing parts of the structure in the future. However, these negatives are often outweighed by the costs involved. Again, it is preferable for such processes to be professionally managed, and while many companies have internal expertise in the area, they will often benefit from bringing in external knowledge to ensure costs are reduced to their lowest level and that the overall environmental impact is minimised. 

Claxton Engineering offers such expertise, with the majority of their operational staff devoted to the mechanics of oil platforms, including not only development and maintenance, but also fully compliant abandonment. The three step process is often undertaken by a third party, who independently monitors the planning, permitting and implementation and are responsible not only for the removal of the rig, but also the associated clean-up caused by the day to day operations carried out thereon, such as removal of additional materials that collect at the base of the rig.