Oil & Gas: decommissioning of offshore installations & pipelines
Decommissioning programmes, including dates, locations, installations decommissioned, method of decommissioning and close-out reports where available.
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 . Please see Updates to Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning Guidance
Financial Assurance Guidance for the Decommissioning of Offshore Oil and Gas Installations and Pipelines.
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 [email protected].
Proposed changes to charging a fee in respect of decommissioning offshore (oil and gas) installations and pipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998 as amended by the Energy Act 2008
The aim of this consultation was to formally seek views from stakeholders such as offshore oil and gas operators, companies with an interest in decommissioning offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines, and other interested parties, on the proposal to update the charging regime for activity related to the regulatory functions for the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed changes please direct these to [email protected].
Draft decommissioning programmes under consideration
| Decommissioning Programme | Operator | Main Points of DP | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Seas Wellhead Protection Structure (WHPS) | Spirit Energy Resources Limited | Full removal of Seven Seas Wellhead Protection Structure/Xmas tree to shore for recycling or disposal. | |
| Tern Upper Jacket | TAQA Bratani Limited | The Tern Upper Jacket and pipeline risers will be cut to a depth of approximately 132m below lowest astronomical tide and recovered to shore for recycling or disposal. | |
| North Cormorant Upper Jacket | TAQA Bratani Limited | The North Cormorant Upper Jacket and pipeline risers will be cut to a depth of approximately 116m below lowest astronomical tide and recovered to shore for recycling or disposal. | |
| Wingate Installations and Pipelines | Wintershall Noordzee B.V. | Small steel platform, surface laid pipeline sections and associated stabilisation materials will be recovered to shore for reuse or recycling. Buried pipelines will be left in situ. | |
| Don DP | Britoil Limited | Leave the trenched and buried pipelines and umbilical in situ and remove surface laid ends. Remove the Pipebridge and stabilisation features | |
| Thistle PL & SALM Base DP | EnQuest Heather Limited | Remove upper riser, remove umbilical from inside riser caisson, remove surface laid pipelines, remove stabilisation features and remove the SALM base | |
| Gannet Wells | Shell U.K. Limited | Full removal of GB01S1 and GF01S1 XTs and wellheads | |
| Pierce WI Wells | Enterprise Oil Limited | Full removal of A7z, A13Y, B4 wellheads and A8Z, B3, B4A XTs and wellheads. | |
| Trees Decommissioning Programmes (Birch, Larch & Sycamore) | Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Limited | Full removal of all surface laid pipelines, exposed stabilisation features and Birch and Larch Manifolds and Sycamore wellhead. Trenched and/or buried pipelines, pipelines in open trenches and stabilisation features within trenches and below seabed will be left in situ. | |
| Gryphon Alpha FPSO and Riser Disconnection Decommissioning Programmes | TotalEnergies E&P North Sea UK Limited | Full removal of the FPSO, flexible risers, dynamic umbilical’s and associated MWA’s (buoyant elements only), mooring lines and anchors. | |
| Kilmar Installations and Pipelines | Energean UK Limited | Small steel platform and surface laid sections of pipelines will be recovered to shore for reuse or recycling, buried section of pipelines and stabilisation features to be left in situ. | |
| Liverpool Bay Asset - Lennox, Hamilton, Hamilton North | Eni UK Limited | Topsides removal, removal of spools, umbilicals and exposed stabilisation features in the near platform areas | |
| Solan Decommissioning Programmes | Premier Oil UK Limited | Topside, Jacket, subsea installations, stabilisation features, pipelines, umbilicals and risers to be recovered to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal. Any deposited rock will be dispersed and left in situ. All piles will be cut to a target depth of 3m below the average natural seabed level. | |
| Calder, Dalton & Millom Installations and Pipelines | Chrysaor Resources (Irish Sea) Limited | Platforms, subsea installations, surface laid pipelines and umbilicals to be recovered to shore for re-use or recycling. Buried pipelines and Calder trunkline to be left in situ. Protection/stabilisation features will be recovered to shore. | |
| Otter Protection Structures Roof Hatches Removal | TAQA Bratani Limited | Removal of nine roof hatches from the Otter manifold and WHPS. Hatches will be returned to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal. | |
| Garrow | Energean UK Ltd | Small steel platform and surface laid sections of pipelines will be recovered to shore for re-use or recycling. Protection/stabilisation features will be recovered to shore. Buried section of pipelines and stabilisation features to be left in situ. | |
| Thistle Upper Jacket | EnQuest Heather Limited | The upper jacket and pipeline risers will be cut between 65 m and 75 m below LAT and recovered to shore. | |
| Eider Upper Jacket | TAQA Bratani Limited | The Eider Upper Jacket and pipeline risers will be cut to a depth of approximately 127m below lowest astronomical tide and recovered to shore for recycling or disposal. | |
| Beauly | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | The wellhead and WHPS will be recovered to shore. The trenched and buried pipelines and umbilicals will be decommissioned in situ. The exposed sections will be either trenched and buried or covered with rock. All surface laid spools/jumpers will be recovered to shore. | |
| Burghley | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | The valve skid, wellhead and WHPS will be recovered to shore. The trenched and buried pipelines and umbilicals will be decommissioned in situ. The exposed sections will be either trenched and buied or covered with rock. All surface laid spools/jumpers will be recovered to shore. | |
| Dunlin Alpha | Fairfield Betula Limited | Decommissioning in situ of Dunlin Alpha concrete gravity based structure and storage cells. | |
| Brae Alpha, Brae Bravo, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick | Marathon Oil UK LLC | 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. | |
| Brent | Shell U.K. Limited | Decommissioning in situ of Brent Bravo, Charlie and Delta concrete gravity based structures. | 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 | Manifold and WHPS to be removed for recycling/disposal. Partial removal of pipelines and remaining section of buried/trenched pipelines to remain in situ. |
Approved decommissioning programmes
| Decommissioning Programme and Approval Date | Operator at approval | Operator following licence / company change | Revision Details and Approval Date | Close out report and Date Accepted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2024 | Perenco Gas (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2024 | Perenco North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2024 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programmes October 2024 | - | |
| May 2024 | Gassco AS | - | - | - | |
| May 2024 | CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2024 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - |
| February 2024 | Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2024 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2024 | Waldorf Petroleum Resources Limited | - | - | - | |
| October 2023 | Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programme September 2024 | - | |
| October 2023 | Taqa Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2023 | Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programme September 2024 | - | |
| September 2023 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2023 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2023 | Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2023 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2022 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2022 | Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2022 | Premier Oil E&P UK EU Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Hurricane Energy PLC | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Eni UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2022 | Shell UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| August 2022 | ONE-Dyas UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2022 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| May 2022 | Britoil Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2022 | Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2022 | NEO Energy (SNS) Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2022 | Alpha Petroleum Resources Limited | Energean UK Ltd | - | - | |
| February 2022 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2022 | Premier Oil UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2021 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2021 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2021 | CNR International (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - |
| August 2021 | Spirit Energy North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| August 2021 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2021 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2021 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2021 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programme August 2021 | - | |
| May 2021 | A/S Norske Shell | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved decommissioning programme. 2. Change of decommissioning solution for PLU 2784 and PLU 2785 from leave in situ to full removal due to insufficient depth of cover. December 2024 | - | |
| April 2021 | Equinor Energy AS | - | - | - | |
| April 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited April 2021 | - | - | - | ||
| March 2021 | INEOS UK SNS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 & Change to decom solution for covering pipeline ends to use rock rather than backfill January 2024 | - | |
| March 2021 | ENI Hewett Limited | - | - | ||
| March 2021 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2021 | Submitted jointly by Qualimar Shipping Company Limited and EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | July2024 | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | INEOS UK SNS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 & Change to decom solution for covering pipeline ends to use rock rather than backfill January 2024 | - | |
| November 2020 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2020 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2020 | Repsol Sinopec North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2020 | RockRose UKCS8 LLC | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | |
| July 2020 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2020 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2020 | Ithaca Energy UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2020 | Lundin Energy Norway AS | Aker BP ASA | - | March 2024 | |
| June 2020 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | December 2023 | |
| June 2020 | INEOS UK SNS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 August 2022 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 & Change to decom solution for covering pipeline ends to use rock rather than backfill January 2024 | - | |
| May 2020 | CNR International (U.K.) Limited | - | - | May 2021 | |
| May 2020 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - |
| May 2020 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2020 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2020 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2020 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2020 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2020 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2020 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2019 | CNR International (U.K.) Limited. Decommissioning Programmes submitted by Teekay Petrojarl Floating Production UK Ltd. | - | - | May 2021 | |
| November 2019 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2019 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | July 2024 | |
| September 2019 | RockRose Energy UKCS8 LLC | TAQA Bratani Limited | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 January 2022 | April 2024 | |
| September 2019 | Spirit Energy Production UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2019 | Perenco Gas (UK) Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 February 2022 | - | |
| September 2019 | Neptune E&P UKCS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 July 2021 | - | |
| August 2019 | DNO North Sea (ROGB) Limited | - | 1. Allow for installation of UKNG Viking Cable & Change in decom solution of pipelines to full removal June 2022 2. Include pipeline and fibre optic crossings into DP & Change in decom solution for pipelines remaining under rock berms & additional rock dump on pipeline ends September 2022 3. To alter the S29Holders November 2023 4. Change in decom solution of pipeline sections to leave in situ May 2024 | - | |
| August 2019 | DNO North Sea (ROGB) Limited | - | 1. Allow for installation of UKNG Viking Cable June 2022 2. To alter the S29Holders November 2023 3. Addition of WHPS to DP and its removal & Change in decom solution of exposed pipeline sections to full removal May 2024 | - | |
| August 2019 | Neptune E&P UKCS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 July 2021 | - | |
| July 2019 | Fairfield Betula Limited | - | - | February 2021 | |
| CNR International (U.K.) Limited June 2019 | - | - | - | ||
| June 2019 | Apache Beryl I Limited | - | - | September 2022 | |
| May 2019 | Fairfield Betula Limited | - | - | September 2024 | |
| April 2019 | Eni Hewett Limited | ENI UK Limited | - | September 2021 | |
| March 2019 | Perenco Gas (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2019 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2026 August 2023 | - | |
| January 2019 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2019 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2019 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2019 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2019 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | 1. Terminate agreement for Beatrice AD, AP, B & C reuse July 2019 | - | |
| January 2019 | Spirit Energy Production UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| October 2018 | Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 and change to decom solution August 2023 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2030. December 2024 | - | |
| August 2018 | Marathon Oil UK LLC | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | January 2024 | |
| August 2018 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| May 2018 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | February 2019 | |
| April 2018 | Spirit Energy North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2018 | Spirit Energy North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2018 | Spirit Energy North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2018 | Repsol Norge AS | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 November 2019. 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2027 February 2023 | - | |
| February 2018 | Centrica Production Nederland B.V. | Spirit Energy Nederland B.V. | - | July 2021 | |
| December 2017 | Fairfield Fagus Limited | - | - | January 2021 | |
| December 2017 | Fairfield Fagus Limited | - | - | January 2021 | |
| December 2017 | Fairfield Fagus Limited | - | - | January 2021 | |
| November 2017 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2017 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2017 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | March 2019 | |
| March 2017 | Nexen Petroleum U.K Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 July 2020 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 (Ettrick Inst only) December 2022 | - | |
| February 2017 | Centrica North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2016 | Maersk Oil UK Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programmes Affleck PLs only December 2021 | - | |
| September 2016 | Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 and change of parties to the approved Programmes January 2021 | - | |
| September 2016 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2016 | Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited | TotalEnergies E&P UK Limited | - | February 2023 | |
| December 2015 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | June 2017 | |
| November 2015 | Tullow Oil SK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2015 | Tullow Oil SK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2015 | Tullow Oil SK Limited | - | - | - | |
| October 2015 | Perenco UK Limited | - | 1. Removal of pipeline from the programme March 2018 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 March 2019 3. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 and Change in decom solution of mats to leave in situ. | - | |
| October 2015 | Perenco UK Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2022 March 2019 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 September 2022 | - | |
| October 2015 | Perenco UK Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2022 March 2019 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 March 2022 | - | |
| July 2015 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | February 2020 | |
| May 2015 | Centrica Resources Limited | - | - | October 2018 | |
| April 2015 | Centrica North Sea Gas Limited | - | - | February 2019 | |
| August 2014 | CNR | - | - | - | |
| April 2014 | Endeavour Energy UK Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2017 June 2016 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2018 November 2017 3. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2020 December 2018 | September 2021 | |
| December 2013 | BP Exploration (Alpha) Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 December 2018 | - | |
| April 2013 | Britoil Limited | - | - | May 2019 | |
| February 2013 | Hess Limited | - | - | December 2015 | |
| June 2012 | Energy Resource Technology (UK) Limited | - | - | August 2013 | |
| February 2012 | Hess Limited | - | - | December 2014 | |
| May 2011 | Britoil Public Limited Company | - | - | - | |
| September 2010 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | September 2020 | |
| August 2010 | Silverstone Energy Limited | Bridge Energy UK Limited | - | January 2011 | |
| June 2010 | Premier Oil | - | - | February 2012 | |
| June 2009 | Venture North Sea Oil Limited | - | - | July 2012 | |
| September 2007 | Total E&P UK Limited | - | - | March 2013 | |
| May 2008 | Venture North Sea Oil Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programme August 2016 | - | |
| July 2008 | Mobil North Sea LLC | - | - | November 2013 | |
| May 2007 | Shell UK Limited | - | - | December 2014 | |
| February 2006 | Amoco (U.K.) Exploration Company - now a subsidiary of BP plc | - | - | October 2014 | |
| Ardmore 2005 | British American Offshore Limited | - | - | - | |
| Ardmore 2005 | Ugland Nordic Shipping AS | - | - | - | |
| Ardmore 2005 | Acorn Oil & Gas Limited | - | - | - | |
| 2004 | Shell | - | - | - | |
| Beatrice 2004 | Talisman Energy (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| Forbes and Gordon 2003 | BHP Billiton | - | - | May 2005 | |
| May 2003 | Total E&P Norge AS | - | - | May 2011 | |
| Durwood and Dauntless 2002 | Amerada Hess | - | - | - | |
| Hutton 2002 | Kerr McGee | - | - | July 2004 | |
| Camelot CB 2001 | ExxonMobil | - | - | - | |
| Blenheim and Bladon 2000 | Talisman | - | - | - | |
| Durwood and Dauntless 2000 | Amerada Hess | - | - | - | |
| Maureen and Moira 2000 | Phillips | - | - | - | |
| Brent Spar 1998 | Shell | - | - | - | |
| Donan 1998 | BP | - | - | - | |
| Fulmar SALM 1998 | Shell | - | - | - | |
| Emerald 1996 | MSR | - | - | - | |
| Frigg FP 1996 | Elf Norge | TotalFinaElf Norge | - | - | |
| Leman BK 1996 | Shell | - | - | - | |
| Staffa 1996 | Lasmo | - | - | - | |
| Viking AC, AD, AP & FD 1996 | Conoco | - | - | - | |
| Esmond CP & CW 1995 | BHP | - | - | - | |
| Gordon BW 1995 | BHP | - | - | - | |
| Angus 1993 | Amerada Hess | - | - | - | |
| Forbes AW 1993 | Hamilton | BHP | - | - | |
| Argyll, Duncan and Innes 1992 | Hamilton | BHP | - | - | |
| Blair 1992 | Sun Oil | AGIP | - | - | |
| Crawford 1991 | Hamilton Oil | BHP | - | - | |
| Piper Alpha 1988 | Occidental | Talisman | - | - |
Notification of disused pipelines
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 North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) and operators are requested to email [email protected] on any queries that they may have relating to legal consents. Further guidance can also be found on the NSTA website.
Once the necessary legal consent has been issued by NSTA, Consents & Authorisations Section, Operators are to email a completed to [email protected].
If you are an operator, aware of any out of use pipelines that have not been referred to the department, please submit a completed IPR1 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 at an agreed frequency. If you are an operator who wishes to request a change to the agreed frequency of surveys following acceptance of a pipeline into the IPR, please submit a completed to [email protected]. Please note that a recent survey (done that year) must have been completed before any change of survey frequency will be considered.
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 is available - (September 2024).
A is also available (November 2018).
A word version of these templates can also be requested from OPRED. Please email [email protected] 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
Updates to this page
Published 23 January 2013Last updated 19 December 2024 + show all updates
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Revision details and approval date added
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Revision details added
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Addition of new draft decommissioning programme
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Document names updated for Knarr Gas Pipeline (KGP) and Brent PLU6294
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Addition of two draft Decommissioning Programmes and Environmental Appraisals.
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Addition of new DP and associated documents
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New Decommissioning Programmes added to ODU website
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Addition of Approved Decommissioning Programme
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Consultation draft DPs added
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New Non-Derogation Template added to website
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Revision details added
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Revision to approved DP
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DP has been approved
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Approved Close Out Report added
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Consultation Draft DP added
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New DP added to website
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DP out for consultation
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Additional information added for LBA DP
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Approved Close Out Report added
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East Brae UJ DP approved
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Acceptance of Close out Report
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New Decommissioning Programme added to website for consultation
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Solan DP consultation
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A new DP is out for consultation
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Consultation DP added
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Addition of DP revisions to website
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Approved Close Out Report added
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Approved Decommissioning Programme
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Approved DP added
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New Decommissioning Programme added to website
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A DP has been approved
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Change of Operator has occurred in the Wenlock and Garrow Fields
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Consultation DP added
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Close Out Report added to Website
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Approved DP added
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Decommissioning Programme for consultation
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The Brae Bravo Topsides Close Out Report has been accepted and added to the website.
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Acceptance of Close Out Report
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Approved Decommissioning Programme
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Helvellyn - Waldorf has been moved from "under consideration" to "approved".
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Garrow documents added for Public Consultation.
-
Final draft of Financial Assurance Guidance published
-
Decommissioning Programme approved
-
Decommissioning Programme approved
-
Approved Decommissioning Programme
-
A DP has been approved
-
A DP has been approved
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
New DP out to consultation.
-
ODU email address updated
-
Decommissioning Programme out to consultation
-
Consultation DP added
-
Typo corrected on IPR 1
-
Addition of new IPR forms for use
-
Consultation DP added
-
Consultation DP added
-
DP approval
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
East Brae UJ DP consultation commenced
-
Consultation decommissioning programmes added
-
DP approval
-
Addition of Western Isles FPSO DP in programme under consideration tab
-
Close Out Report added
-
link to guidance update page
-
Consultation DP added
-
DPs withdrawn as added in error
-
Consultation DPs added
-
DP approval
-
DP approval
-
DP approved
-
DPs have now been approved
-
lancaster FPSO DP approved
-
DP approval
-
Consultation draft DP added
-
Consultation draft DPs added
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
N11 COR added
-
Notification of an approved DP
-
DP approval
-
Approved DPs published
-
Brae B upper jacket DP approved
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Approved DP
-
approval of foinaven FPSO DP
-
response to consultation document for proposed changes to fee charging regime in respect of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines published
-
DP Approval
-
Consultation DPs added
-
Decommissioning programme for consultation
-
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
-
New DPs out to consultation
-
wenlock DP approval re-added appears to have been deleted in error
-
Consultation DP
-
Approved DP
-
Approved DP
-
DP approval
-
Draft programme for consultation
-
DP approval
-
Consultation DP added
-
DP approved
-
Causeway and Fionn DP consultation
-
DP approval
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
Decommissioning Programmes added for Public Consultation
-
Acceptance of Close Out Report
-
DP Consultation
-
COR accepted
-
Consultation DP added
-
ensign DP approved
-
Consultation DP
-
markham close out report added
-
Consultation DP
-
DP approval
-
Cost recovery consultation impact assessment added
-
DP Approval
-
DP approval
-
newly approved DP
-
Decommissioning programme for consultation
-
Consultation draft DP added
-
Edited 'Overview' section to publish details of consultation on proposed changes to fee charging regime.
-
interim CORs added for Banff FPSO and SAL buoy DPS
-
approval of Gaupe DP
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Approval of Decommissioning Programme
-
DP approved
-
Adding an approved DP
-
Consultation DP
-
DP approved
-
Approved Decommissioning Programme
-
Decommissioning Programmes for consultation
-
DP approved
-
DP approved
-
DP approved
-
COR added
-
Approved DPs added
-
Close Out Reports Approved
-
Adding A Decommissioning Programme which is out to Public Consultation.
-
Consultation DPs added
-
Consultation DP added
-
Consultation DP added
-
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
-
Decommissioning Programme Approved
-
Approval of preparatory works
-
Consultation DP added
-
Accepted Close Out Report added
-
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
-
Five new DPs out to consultation
-
A new DP is out to public consultation
-
draft DP added
-
Decommissioning Programmes for consultation
-
Approval of A DP and Derogation
-
Draft decommissioning programme for consultation
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
document replaced with updated version
-
Decommissioning Programme Approval
-
Approved Decommissioning Programme
-
Consultation DP added
-
DP has been approved
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
A DP has been added for public consultation
-
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
-
Approved DP added
-
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
-
approval of Eider topsides DP
-
A Decommissioning Programme has been approved
-
consultation DP added
-
Approval of a DP
-
Approved DP
-
Approval of a DP
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
Approved DP
-
Decommissioning Programme now approved
-
Consultation DPs
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
CoR added to website
-
DP approval
-
Huntington Consultation DP added
-
New Decommissioning Programmes out to consultation.
-
New DP out to consultation
-
New DP out to consultation
-
Decommissioning Programmes for consultation
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
Approved of Banff SAL Buoy DP
-
Consultation of Cavendish Decommissioning Programme
-
MacCulloch DP approved
-
New approved DP
-
Consultation of Ensign
-
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
-
Approval of South Morecambe DP3/DP4 Decommissioning Programmes
-
Pickerill installations DP approved
-
Minke DP approved
-
Banff SAL buoy DP for consultation
-
Addition of two approved decommissioning programmes
-
Added the approved Juliet DP to the website
-
PL5 approved
-
NNP approved
-
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
-
Consultation of MacCulloch Field Decommissioning Programmes
-
Revised CAs for Brae A, Brae B and East Brae
-
Approval of Nevis N11 WHPS Decommissioning Programme
-
Change of email to a generic one rather than a personal email.
-
Schiehallion & Loyal Phase One Close Out Report Approved
-
Approval of the Dunlin Alpha Topsides Decommissioning Programme
-
Update of the content of the DP
-
Approval of Hewett Vent Stack DP
-
consultation closed
-
Consultation DP and supporting documents for PL5
-
Minke and Juliet consultation DPs published
-
Addition of Close Out Report
-
New Approved Programme
-
New programme for consultation
-
Publishing approved Curlew DP
-
Morecambe DPs published for consultation
-
Added a CoR
-
Addition of Close Out Report
-
Approved DPs for VDP2 and VDP3 added
-
Addition of approved DPs for Tyne South Installations and Guinevere Installation
-
Addition of approved decommissioning programme
-
Approval of a Decommissioning Programme
-
Addition of Brent Delta Close Out Report
-
Addition of 2 decommissioning programmes for consultation
-
Update decommissioning templates added
-
Guidance document was updated and uploaded
-
Adding Goldeneye DP for consultation.
-
Jacky Decommissioning Programmes Approved
-
Approval of Close out Report
-
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
-
VDP2 and VDP3 consultation draft Decommissioning Programmes added
-
Approval of Brent Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Topsides Decommissioning Programme
-
Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning Programme out to consultation
-
Addition of a new decommissioning programme for consultation
-
Tyne South and Guinevere Installation Decommissioning Programmes published for consultation
-
Addition of Curlew DPs, CA and EIA for Public Consultation.
-
Decommissioning Programme Approved
-
Updated Offshore decommissioning guidance has been added
-
Ann & Alison, Saturn (Annabel) and Audrey DPs have been approved
-
Changed document to final version
-
A decommissioning programme has been approved
-
Approved Markham DP
-
Bains Documents Added
-
Updated Environmental Guidance on Decommissioning
-
Jacky DP Consultation
-
Draft Consultation Decommissioning Programme uploaded
-
Updated guidance for Offshore Decommissioning on website for feedback
-
Addition of approved DPs
-
Approved DPs added
-
Saturn Annabel, Audrey and LDP1 Programmes for public consultation
-
DPN form corrected
-
generic email address added and DPN form updated (with generic email address)
-
Ann and Alison DP's and associated documents added for public consultation
-
Fairfield Fagus Limited's Dunlin Fuel Gas Import and Power Import, Merlin and Osprey Decommissioning Documents uploaded
-
Brae Area DPs and associated documents available for consultation
-
Harding STL Close Out Report added
-
Disused Pipeline Notification Form revised - 03 May 17
-
Leman BH Decommissioning Programme approved
-
Approval of Ettrick and Blackbird DP
-
Ninian North Platform documents published for public consultation A4 Programme approved
-
Brent Decommissioning Programmes published for consultation
-
IVRR Close Out Report added
-
Ann A4 Installation Decommissioning Programme added for consultation
-
Approved Decommissioning Programmes added
-
Atlantic and Cromarty Draft Decommissioning Programmes Consultation
-
references of DECC amended to BEIS (including DPN form)
-
Janice, James & Affleck Fields - Draft programmes under consideration (added)
-
Markham ST-1 Decommissioning Programmes - (added)
-
Oil & Gas: Update Notification of Disused Pipelines
-
Oil & Gas: Update Table of draft decommissioning programmes under consideration.
-
Leadon Decommissioning Programmes - (added)
-
Notification of Disused Pipelines form - (updated)
-
Harding STL approved decommissioning programme - (added)
-
Thames Area - Horne & Wren, Orwell and Wissey approved decommissioning programmes - (added)
-
Fife, Flora, Fergus, Angus: decommissioning programme FFFA Close Out Report - (added)
-
Thames Area – Thames Complex, Gawain & Arthur - Approved decommissioning programmes - (added)
-
Viking Satellites CD,DD,ED,GD,HD draft decommissioning programmes under consideration - (added)
-
Oil and Gas: Updated document for Harding STL Decommissioning Programme
-
Oil and Gas: Updated “Table of approved decommissioning programmes” table.
-
Leman BH draft decommissioning programme - (added)
-
Oil and Gas: Addition of Brent field to approved decommissioning programme
-
Oil and gas: Rose approved decommissioning programme - (added)
-
Decommissioning - Leadon draft programme, follow up consultation - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Stamford decommissioning programme - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Rose Field decommissioning programmes - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Brent – Brent Delta Topside draft decommissioning programme - (added)
-
Oil and Gas: Addition of Stamford Field to decommissioning programmes table
-
Oil and Gas: Updated the disused pipeline notification form
-
Oil and gas: Decommissioning - Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Derogation Cases) - (added)
-
Oil and gas: NW Hutton close out report - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Decommissioning draft prgrams - Thames - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Indefatigable (Shell) close out report - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non-Derogation Cases) - (updated)
-
Oil and gas: Murchison approved decommissioning programme - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Rubie & Renee - Approved decommissioning programme - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Decommisiioning Linhe close out report - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non Derogation Cases) - updated
-
Oil and gas: Leadon Draft Decommissioning Programme - added
-
Oil and gas: Miller decommissioning programme - (added)
-
Oil and gas: Rubie/Renee Draft Decommissioning Programme - (added)
-
Camelot close out report - added
-
Added Murchison draft decommissioning programme
-
Added streamlined decommissioning programme template
-
Re-created table, added H2's and anchors
-
First published.