Successful Delivery of Decommissioning Project via Artificial Reefing Option in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper will discuss further on the recent decommissioning project of fields which has been completed on November 2017. These two platforms had been totally removed and became an artificial reef at Sarawak water in Malaysia. This paper will show the activities and best practices; the team had gone through from early stage until completion of the process based on the decommissioning phases. The decommissioning framework consists of five phases starting from Late Life Planning and Preparation; Regulatory, Compliance and Permitting; Facilities Hook-down and wells make safe; Removal and Remediation and lastly, Post Remediation. In baseline inspection, the underwater inspection had provided some information to the contractor on the scope and revealed some of the uncertainties about the decommissioning project. On an important note, an engineering study is critical to ensure safe operation. After our observation, we noted that actual operation is similar to the engineering's simulation where the team had to follow the engineering accordingly. Reefing engineering crucially needed to be performed to ensure the facilities been placed at the right location and position. During offshore execution removal of facilities, there were challenges we faced such as malfunction of the cutting/dredge equipment which led to a back up plan and innovative solution. We had to utilize other available equipments available onboard (Diamond wire cutter, abrasive waterjet internal cutter, dredger, soil plug removal, airlift, cutting torch etc.). Selection of cutting tools also needed to be considered to minimize the pinch effect of the facilities. Finally, Post decommissioning survey had been carried during the Post Remediation phase to assess the successful of the project. The post-decommissioning/reefing survey had been carried out and the result observed new marine growth and numbers of fishes at the reefed platform. It had been concluded that this decommissioning reefing project was successful. This paper should be an interest to those who will be exploring abandonment and decommissioning project which includes reefing as one of the decommissioning options. This paper will also show on decommissioning process through Engineering, Preparation, Removal and Disposal (EPRD) approach contract. The novelty in this paper is on the assurance that had been made by Company via baseline and post reefing survey to ensure environment aspect had been considered.