CNR International Ltd. (CNRI) awarded the Heerema-AF Consortium a contract for the removal and disposal of the Murchison platform, marking a significant step towards the decommissioning of one of the largest platforms in the UK North Sea.
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| Murchison. Images from CNRI |
The consortium, comprised of Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE and AF Decom Offshore UK Ltd. (AF Gruppen ASA’s wholly owned subsidiary), snagged one of the project’s major contracts that will involve engineering, preparation, removal and disposal (EPRD) of both the topsides and jacket structure, with a total weight of approximately 37,000-tonne.
The contract will begin engineering work in 2014. Offshore work is set to begin in early 2016 and the removal and final disposal work will continue until 2020.
The Murchison field lies between the UK/Norway median line, with the platform in Block 211/19, in the East Shetland basin located in the Northern North Sea, 190km northeast of the Shetlands Islands. It comprises 26 topside modules, for drilling and production, weighs 24,500-tonne, and is supported on an eight-legged steel jacket, weighing 27,600-tonne, in 156m water depth.
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Murchison. |
Murchison will remain manned for an additional year to support the consortium’s offshore deconstruction and removal activities due to the Heerema-AF Consortium’s development of a hybrid removal methodology consisting of piece-small removal and heavy lift reverse installation that allows the disposal and recycling of the platform. It combines short sailing times for the piece-small tonnage that is approximately 10,000-tonne, to a UK disposal yard and direct offloading for the remainder from Heerema’s heavy lift vessel at AF Environmental Base Vats.
Murchison, one of the largest steel jacket platforms in the North Sea, was discovered in 1975 with first production in 1980, operated by Conoco (UK). At its highest peak, the Murchison platform produced 150,383 bbl/d, that was reached on 26 December 1982. It ceased production on 28 February 2014 with permanent cessation of production on 31 March.
Over its life, Murchison produced around 400MMbbl, from 98 production wells, representing a recovery factor of more than 50%.
CNRI owns and operates the Murchison field with a 77.8% interest with partner Wintershall Norge ASA (22.2%).
Read more:
Murchison decom consortium signed
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