ABB and ITF launch industry initiative to reduce decommissioning costs

ABB in collaboration with Industry Technology Facilitator (ITF) is launching an industry project that will develop offshore safety case guidance and technology solutions to reduce OPEX spend during late life and decommissioning phases.

The project will bring together operators, legislators, industry bodies and consultants to address cost efficient management of Major Accident Hazards (MAHs) and Safety and Environmental Critical Elements (SECEs).

For offshore structures in the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), there is a legislative requirement to maintain a safety case throughout the operations, late life and decommissioning phases, until completion of the agreed decommissioning scope of works.

The industry project will develop  guidance that will support operators manage their offshore safety case in the planning of decommissioning and enable technology opportunities to be developed that will reduce OPEX spend in late life and decommissioning.

There are three primary aims of the project:

• To develop industry guidance on End of Life (EoL) Major Accident Hazard Management (MAHM) and offshore safety cases to supplement existing regulator guidance and facilitate EoL safety case submissions and operations;
• To define key systems, services and safety critical elements that can safely be retired during late life and decommissioning; and
• To provide a platform for small and medium enterprises to showcase technology solutions which support the industry’s target to reduce decommissioning costs by 35% to 50%.

ABB will provide structure, funding, project management, technical safety guidance and facilitate the capturing of knowledge.

Speaking of the initiative, Troy Stewart Head of ABB’s Oil & Gas Service business, said: “We have a long history of working collaboratively with customers and industry stakeholders in the oil and gas sector. This project supports the development and integration of new technology and guidance to facilitate efficiency improvements for asset owners.

“ABB’s leadership of this project is a demonstration of our commitment to supporting the UK oil and gas sector customer’s assets through all its lifecycle phases. We aim to leverage our global network of consultants, engineers and technology to the advantage of the UKCS.”

Dr Patrick O’Brien from ITF commented: “We are pleased to be working with ABB on this project as we believe it will benefit the industry in the UK and further afield. We support the goal of making Aberdeen the center of excellence for decommissioning globally and look forward to seeing the benefits that this project will bring.”