Guidance

Oil and gas: decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines

• From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
• Part of: Infrastructure and decommissioning
• Published: 23 January 2013
• Last updated: 6 September 2017, see all updates

Decommissioning programmes, including dates, locations, installations decommissioned, method of decommissioning and close-out reports where available.

Overview

The Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) regulates decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines using legislation under the Petroleum Act 1998.

Under Section 29 of the Act the Secretary of State is empowered to serve notice on a wide range of persons.

In the first instance this would include parties to joint operating agreements for installations, and owners for pipelines.

The notice will either specify the date by which a decommissioning programme for each installation or pipeline is to be submitted or, as is more usual, provide for it to be submitted on or before such date as the Secretary of State may direct.

A decommissioning programme sets out the measures to decommission disused installations and/or pipelines, and will describe in detail the methods to undertake the work. In some cases this process can cover a wide range of activities such as radioactive material handling, removal of debris from the seabed and environmental monitoring of the area after removal of the installation. The department aims to be transparent in its consideration of decommissioning programmes. As a result, other government departments/agencies, non-governmental organisations, members of the public and other bodies are given the opportunity to comment on the proposals set out in a programme.

Table of draft decommissioning programmes under consideration

Field Name	Field Operator	Status	Main points of the programme	Details
LOGGS Satellites Vulcan UR, Viscount VO, Vampire OD – LDP1	ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Removal to shore of the Vulcan UR, Viscount VO and Vampire OD topsides and jackets for recycling/disposal. Wells to be plugged and abandoned. Pipelines to be decommissioned in situ. All mattresses on pipelines to remain in situ.	LDP1 Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 2.13MB, 57 pages) LDP1 Comparative Assessment (PDF, 3.85MB, 142 pages) LDP1 Environmental Statement (PDF, 17.5MB, 339 pages) Supporting Information for the Cumulative Impact Assessment (PDF, 865KB, 15 pages)
Audrey Field	Centrica North Sea Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Topsides will be removed and recovered to shore for reuse or recycling. Jacket will be removed and recovered to shore for reuse or recycling; leg piles will be cut 3m below seabed. All subsea installations will be removed and returned to shore for reuse or recycling; steel piles will be cut 0.6m below seabed. Wells will be plugged and abandoned. Pipelines to be partially removed. Buried and stable pipelines to be left in situ. All concrete mattresses and grout bags will be recovered to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal. Buried frond mats and existing rock dump will be left in situ.	Audrey Field Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 2.67MB, 53 pages) Saturn (Annabel) and Audrey Fields Environmental Impact Assessment (PDF, 13.4MB, 235 pages) Saturn (Annabel) and Audrey Fields Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.24MB, 127 pages)
Saturn (Annabel) Field	Centrica North Sea Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	All subsea installations to be removed and returned to shore for reuse or recycling. Wells to be plugged and abandoned. Pipelines to be partially removed. Buried and stable pipelines to be left in situ. Concrete mattresses and grout bags (with the exception of those at pipeline crossings) will be recovered to shore for reuse or recycling. Existing rock dump will be left in situ	Saturn (Annabel) Field Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 2.55MB, 42 pages) Saturn (Annabel) and Audrey Fields Environmental Impact Assessment (PDF, 13.4MB, 235 pages) Saturn (Annabel) and Audrey Fields Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.24MB, 127 pages)
Ann and Alison	Centrica North Sea Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	All subsea installations to be removed and returned to shore for reuse or recycling.Wells to be plugged and abandoned. Pipelines to be partially removed. Buried and stable pipelines to be left in situ.	Ann and Alison Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 2.53MB, 54 pages) Ann and Alison Comparative Assessment (PDF, 3.22MB, 119 pages) Ann and Alison Environmental Impact Assessment (PDF, 11.2MB, 192 pages)
Osprey	Fairfield Fagus Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Subsea Installations will be removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal. Pipelines, Flowlines and Umbilicals will be fully removed with the exception of the Bundles, trenched and rock dumped Umbilicals and Flexible and Umbilical Risers within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure.	Osprey Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 2.05MB, 61 pages) Osprey Environmental Statement (PDF, 10.2MB, 164 pages) Osprey Comparative Assessment (PDF, 4.76MB, 109 pages)
Merlin	Fairfield Fagus Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Subsea Installations will be removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal. Pipelines, Flowlines and Umbilicals will be fully removed with the exception of trenched and rock dumped Pipelines and Umbilicals and Umbilical Riser within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure.	Merlin Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 1.31MB, 51 pages) Merlin Environmental Statement (PDF, 8.54MB, 158 pages) Merlin Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.29MB, 95 pages)
Dunlin Fuel Gas Import (DFGI) and Dunlin Power Import (DPI)	Fairfield Betula Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Subsea Installations will be removed and recovered to shore for recycling/disposal. Pipelines, Flowlines and Umbilicals will be fully removed with the exception of trenched and buried Pipelines and Rigid Riser and Riser Cable within the Dunlin Alpha Concrete Gravity Based Structure.	DFGI and DPI Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 2.22MB, 49 pages) DFGI and DPI Environmental Statement (PDF, 15.6MB, 151 pages) DFGI and DPI Comparative Assessment (PDF, 7.28MB, 151 pages)
East Brae and Braemar	Marathon Oil UK LLC	Draft programmes under consideration	Removal of East Brae topsides and removal of jackets to the top of the footings. Removal of Braemar subsea installations. Pipelines to be decommissioned by partial removal and leave in situ.	East Brae And Braemar Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 10.3MB, 74 pages) East Brae and Braemar Environmental Statement – Main Report (PDF, 14.5MB, 78 pages) East Brae and Braemar Environmental Statement – Technical Appendices (PDF, 12.8MB, 96 pages) East Brae Sub-structures Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.96MB, 39 pages) Brae Area Subsea Assets Comparative Assessment (PDF, 6.84MB, 43 pages)
Brae Alpha, Brae Bravo, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick	Marathon Oil UK LLC	Draft programmes under consideration	Removal of Brae Alpha and Brae Bravo topsides and removal of jackets to the top of the footings. Removal of Brae Bravo flare jacket/sub structure, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick subsea installations. Pipelines to be decommissioned in a variety of ways including removal, trenching and leave in situ.	Brae Alpha, Brae Bravo, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 15.3MB, 120 pages) Brae A etc, Environmental Statement – Main Report (PDF, 14.6MB, 80 pages) Brae A etc. Environmental Statement - Technical Appendices (PDF, 13.3MB, 96 pages) Brae A Sub-structure Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.27MB, 34 pages) Brae B Sub-structure Comparative Assessment (PDF, 5.44MB, 34 pages) Brae Area Subsea Assets Comparative Assessment (PDF, 6.84MB, 43 pages)
Ninian North Platform	CNR	Draft programme under consideration	Topsides will be removed and recovered to shore. Partial removal of the Jacket to between 77.5 and 88.5m below LAT. Decommissioning in situ of jacket footings.	Ninian North Platform Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 1.8MB, 61 pages) Ninian North Platform Environmental Statement (PDF, 7.82MB, 229 pages) Ninian North Platform Comparative Assessment (PDF, 2.75MB, 92 pages)
Brent	Shell U.K. Limited	Draft programmes under consideration	Removal to shore of Brent Alpha, Bravo and Charlie topsides for recycling/disposal. Removal of upper part of Brent Alpha steel jacket to 84.5m below sea level. Decommissioning in situ of Brent Alpha jacket footings. Decommissioning in situ of Brent Bravo, Charlie and Delta concrete gravity based structures. Pipelines several decommissioning options.	Brent Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 12MB, 322 pages) Brent ES (PDF, 12.5MB, 475 pages) Brent EIA (PDF, 5.05MB, 429 pages) Brent ES Appendix (PDF, 2.52MB, 45 pages) 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	Draft programmes under consideration	Manifold and Well head Protection structures (WHPS) to be removed for recycling/disposal. Partial removal of pipelines and remaining section of buried/trenched pipelines to remain in situ.	Atlantic & Cromarty Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 1.76MB, 50 pages) Atlantic & Cromarty Stakeholder Report (PDF, 1.11MB, 32 pages) Atlantic & Cromarty Environmental Impact Assessment (PDF, 4.5MB, 109 pages) Atlantic & Cromarty Comparative Assessment (PDF, 2.06MB, 110 pages)
Markham ST-1	Centrica Production Nederland B.V.	Draft programme under consideration	Topsides and jacket will be removed and transported to shore for recycling. Leg piles will be cut 2m below seabed. Pipelines will be flushed and left buried in situ	Markham ST-1 Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 2.24MB, 39 pages) Markham ST-1 Comparative Assessment (PDF, 1.48MB, 33 pages) Markham ST-1 Environmental Statement (PDF, 6.49MB, 142 pages)
Viking Satellites CD,DD,ED,GD,HD	ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited	Draft programme under consideration	An approved programme for topsides and jackets is in place. Pipelines to remain buried in situ. All mattresses on pipelines to remain in situ to maintain pipeline stabilisation.	Decommissioning programme (PDF, 2.88MB, 49 pages) Comparative Assessment (PDF, 3.8MB, 142 pages) Environmental Statement (PDF, 17.4MB, 339 pages)

Table of approved decommissioning programmes

Field Name	Operator at approval	Operator following licence / company change	Main installations decommissioned	Approved option	Year of approval
Leman BH Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 4.66MB, 46 pages)	Shell U.K. Limited	-	1 x platform	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling	2017
Ettrick and Blackbird (PDF, 2.1MB, 62 pages)	Nexen Petroleum UK Limited	-	FPSO	Removal for re-use at different location	2017
			Subsea Equipment	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling	2017
			Pipelines	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling; buried pipelines to be left in-situ	2017
Ann A4 Decommissioning Programme (PDF, 1.37MB, 29 pages)	Centrica North Sea Limited	-	A4 Wellhead Protection Structure	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling	2017
Janice James & Affleck (PDF, 3.8MB, 115 pages)	Maersk Oil UK Limited	-	FPSO	Removal for recycling	2016
			Subsea Equipment	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling	2016
			Pipelines	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling; buried pipelines to be left in-situ	2016
Athena Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 3.88MB, 70 pages)	Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited	-	FPSO	Removal for re-use at different location	2016
			Subsea Equipment	Removal to shore for either re-use or recycling	2016
			Pipelines	All 32 pipeline to be removed and returned to shore for re-use or recycling	2016
Viking Platforms (PDF, 3.53MB, 40 pages)	ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited	-	5 x fixed platforms Viking CD, DD, ED, GD, HD	Removal to shore of topsides and jackets for recycling/disposal	2016
Leadon (PDF, 1.71MB, 53 pages)	Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited	-	FPSO	Removal for re-use at different location	2016
			Subsea	Removal of 2 x bundle towheads and mid-line structure to shore for disposal; removal of 2 x drill centres to shore for disposal	2016
			Pipelines	2 x Pipeline bundles to be left in-situ, partial removal of gas import pipeline	2016
Harding STL (PDF, 2.61MB, 73 pages) Harding STL Close-Out Report (PDF, 1.62MB, 26 pages)	TAQA Bratani Limited	-	Harding Submerged Turret Loading (STL) System	Harding Submerged Turret Loading (STL) System to be replaced by new Offshore Loading System. STL to be removed to shore for recycling/disposal and shuttle tanker mooring and loading buoy interfaces returned to owner	2015
Thames Area – Horne & Wren (PDF, 1.57MB, 48 pages)	Tullow Oil SK Limited	-	1x fixed platform	Removal of topsides and jackets to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Pipelines	To remain buried in situ	2015
Thames Area – Orwell (PDF, 828KB, 42 pages)	Tullow Oil SK Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Pipelines	To remain buried in situ	2015
Thames Area – Wissey (PDF, 1.26MB, 43 pages)	Tullow Oil SK Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Pipelines	To remain buried in situ	2015
Thames Area – Thames Complex (PDF, 15.9MB, 76 pages)	Perenco UK Limited	-	3x fixed platforms	Removal of topsides and jackets to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Pipelines	To remain buried in situ	2015
Thames Area – Gawain (PDF, 3.8MB, 47 pages)	Perenco UK Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Pipelines	To remain buried in situ	2015
Thames Area – Arthur (PDF, 4.41MB, 46 pages)	Perenco UK Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Pipelines	To remain buried in situ	2015
Brent - Brent Delta Topside (PDF, 3.55MB, 72 pages)	Shell U.K. Limited	-	Brent Delta Topside	Removal of topside to shore for recycling and disposal	2015
Rose Decommissioning Programmes (PDF, 2.87MB, 42 pages)	Centrica Resources Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Pipelines	Removal of sections of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ	2015
Stamford (PDF, 2.71MB, 39 pages)	Centrica North Sea Gas Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2015
			Pipelines	Removal of sections of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ	2015
Murchison (PDF, 2.37MB, 70 pages)	CNR	-	Large Steel Platform	Topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore for recycling/disposal. Footings to remain in situ	2014
			Pipelines	Export pipeline decommissioned in situ with remedial rock placement. Infield Flowlines to be removed for recycling/disposal.	2014
Rubie & Renee (PDF, 2.47MB, 50 pages)	Endeavour Energy UK Limited	-	Subsea Installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2014
			Pipelines	Selective Recovery	2014
Miller (PDF, 6.57MB, 198 pages)	BP Exploration (Alpha) Limited		Large Steel Platform	Footings to remain in place, steel topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore	2013
Schiehallion & Loyal Phase One (PDF, 1.84MB, 60 pages)	Britoil Limited	-	Schiehallion FPSO	Removal for potential re-use	2013
			Pipelines	Recovery where possible. Production flowlines to be left in situ.	2013
IVRR - decommissoning programme (PDF, 1.57MB, 102 pages) IVRR Close Out Report (PDF, 4.74MB, 35 pages)	Hess limited	-	FPSO	Removal for re-use at different location	2013
			Subsea installations	Removal to shore for recycling/disposal	2013
			Pipelines	Selective recovery	2013
Camelot (PDF, 488KB, 39 pages) Camelot Close out report (PDF, 2.27MB, 41 pages)	Energy Resource Technology (UK) Limited	-	Small Steel Platform	Removal to shore for recycling / disposal	2012
			Pipelines	Pipelines decommissioned in situ	2012
Fife, Flora, Fergus, Angus: decommissioning programme (PDF, 8.36MB, 135 pages) FFFA Close Out Report (PDF, 1.49MB, 33 pages)	Hess Limited	-	FPSO	Removed for re-use at different location	2012
			Subsea installations	Removal to shore for recycling / disposal	2012
			Pipelines	Full removal of un-trenched pipelines; trenched pipelines decommissioned in situ	2012
Don	Britoil Public Limited Company	-	Subsea installation	Removal to shore for recycling / disposal	2011
			Pipelines	Decommissioned in situ with selective recovery	2011
Welland	Perenco UK Limited	Perenco UK Limited	Small Steel Platform	Removal for re-use outside of UK waters	2010
			Pipelines	Decommissioned in situ with selective recovery	2010
Tristan NW Close out report	Silverstone Energy Limited	Bridge Energy UK Limited	Subsea installation	Removal to shore for recycling	2010; close-out report received January 2011
			Pipelines	Production pipeline with piggy-backed umbilical - leave in situ; jumpers, spool pieces and associated pipeline equipment - remove to shore for re-use or recycling	2010; close-out report received January 2011
Shelley Close out report	Premier Oil	-	Sevan Voyageur FPSO	Tow away for future use at another location	2010; close-out report received February 2012
			Manifold and Wellhead	Remove to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal	2010; close-out report received February 2012
			Pipelines	Production pipeline - leave in situ; umbilical - remove in sections	2010; close-out report received February 2012
Kittiwake SAL Export System Close out report	Venture North Sea Oil Limited	-	Kittiwake SAL Assembly	SAL Assembly - removal to shore for re-use. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: Completion of the removal of the SAL Assembly extended to 31 July 2012	2009; close-out report received July 2012
			Pipelines	Pipeline - flexible flowline removed to shore for re-use	2009; close-out report received July 2012
MCP-01 Close out report	Total E& P UK Limited	-	Manifold & Compression Platform	Permit granted for the disposal in-situ of the concrete substructure; topsides to be removed to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal	2008; close-out report received March 2013
Kittiwake Loading Buoy	Venture North Sea Oil Limited	-	Exposed Location Single Buoy Mooring System (ELSBM)	Removals to shore for recycling or disposal	2008
Linnhe (PDF, 2.25MB, 66 pages) </p> Linnhe Close Out Report (PDF, 1000KB, 22 pages)	Mobil North Sea LLC	-	Wellhead Protection Structure	Removal to shore. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: completion of the removal of the Wellhead Protection Structure extended to 30 June 2010	2008; year of revised approval: 2010
			Pipelines	Decommissioned in situ; pipeline sections outside trenches removed to shore. Revision to approved decommissioning programme: completion of the abandonment of the pipelines extended to 30 June 2010	2008; year of revised approval: 2010
Indefatigable (Shell) (PDF, 11.6MB, 224 pages) </p> Close Out Report (PDF, 2.47MB, 64 pages)	Shell U.K. Limited	-	6 x fixed steel platforms	Removal to shore	2007
			Pipelines	2 x hose bundles removal to shore; 5 x infield + export decommissioned in situ	2007
NW Hutton: decommissioning programme (PDF, 14.9MB, 320 pages) Close Out Report (PDF, 2.52MB, 32 pages)	Amoco (U.K.) Exploration Company - now a subsidiary of BP plc	-	Large Steel Platform	Footings to remain in place, steel topsides and jacket to top of footings to be removed to shore	2006
			Pipelines	Decommissioned in situ	2006
Ardmore	British American Offshore Limited	-	Mobile Jack-Up Rig	Re-use	2005
Ardmore	Ugland Nordic Shipping AS	-	Single Anchor Loading Systems	Re-use/removal to shore	2005
			Pipelines	Re-use	2005
Ardmore	Acorn Oil & Gas Limited	-	Subsea equipment including guide frame	Removal to shore	2005
Brent	Shell	-	Brent Flare	Removals to shore for recycling and disposal	2004
Beatrice	Talisman Energy (UK) Limited	-	Fixed Steel Platforms	Re-use	2004
Forbes and Gordon Infield Pipelines	BHP Billiton	-	Infield Pipelines	Decommission in situ - retrench any area of pipeline with less than 0.4m depth of cover	2003; close-out report received May 2005
Frigg TP1, QP & CDP1 Close out report	Total E&P Norge AS	-	Treatment Platform 1 (TP1), Quarters Platform (QP) and Concrete Drilling Platform 1 (CDP1)	Concrete substructures to remain in place; concrete topsides to be removed to shore; steel installations to be removed to shore; infield pipelines to be removed to shore	2003
Durward and Dauntless	Amerada Hess	-	Pipelines	Decommissioned in situ	2002
Hutton	Kerr-McGee	-	Tension Leg Platform	Re-use	2002; close-out report received July 2004
			Pipelines	1 x removal to shore; 1 x decommissioned in situ (with future monitoring programme)	2002; close-out report received July 2004
Camelot CB	ExxonMobil	-	Fixed Steel Platform	Re-use or removal to shore for recycling. Revision to approved decommissioning option: removal to shore for dismantling and recycling	2001. Year of revised approval: 2002
Blenheim and Bladon	Talisman	-	FPSO	Re-use	2000
			Pipelines	Removal to shore	2000
Durward and Dauntless	Amerada Hess	-	FPSO	Re-use	2000
			Subsea Facilities	Removal to shore	2000
Maureen and Moira	Phillips	-	Large Steel Gravity Platform	Removal to shore for re-use or recycling	2000
			Concrete Loading Column	Removal to shore for re-use or recycling	2000
			Pipelines	2 x removal to shore;1 x decommissioned in situ	2000
Brent Spar	Shell	-	Oil Storage and Loading Facility	Re-use as part of quay extension. Revision to approved decommissioning option: Brent Spar Anchor Blocks - removal to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal 1998	Year of revised approval: 2004
Donan	BP	-	FPSO	Re-use	1998
Fulmar SALM	Shell	-	Single Anchor Leg Mooring Buoy	Removal to shore	1998
			16” Pipeline	Decommissioned in situ	1998
Emerald	MSR	-	FPSO	Re-use	1996
			Pipeline	Decommissioned in situ	1996
Frigg FP	Elf Norge	TotalFinaElf Norge	Flare Column	Removal to shore	1996
Leman BK	Shell	-	Fixed Steel Platform	Removal to shore	1996
Staffa	Lasmo	-	Pipelines	Removal to shore	1996
Viking AC, AD, AP & FD	Conoco	-	4 x Fixed Steel Platform	Removal to shore	1996
Esmond CP & CW	BHP	-	2 x Fixed Steel Platform	Removal to shore	1995
Gordon BW	BHP	-	Fixed Steel Platform	Removal to shore	1995
Angus	Amerada Hess	-	Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessel	Re-use	1993
Forbes AW	Hamilton	BHP	Fixed Steel Platform	Removal to shore	1993
Argyll, Duncan and Innes	Hamilton	BHP	Floating Production, Facility (FPF)	Removal to shore	1992
			Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) Buoy	Removal to shore	1992
			Pipelines	Removal to shore	1992
Blair	Sun Oil	AGIP	Pipelines	1 x Re-use; 1 x Decommissioned in situ	1992
Crawford	Hamilton Oil	BHP	Floating Production, Facility (FPF)	Removal to shore	1991
			Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) Buoy	Removal to shore	1991
			Subsea Facilities	Removal to shore	1991
Piper Alpha	Occidental	Talisman	Fixed Steel Platform	Toppling	1988

Notification of disused pipelines

(the DPN form has been amended – July 2017)

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 Oil & Gas Authority and Operators are requested to contact Claire Grant on any queries that they may have relating to Legal Consents. Further Guidance can also be found on the Oil & Gas Authority website: https://www.ogauthority.co.uk/licensing-consents/consents/pipeline-works-authorisations/

Once the necessary legal consent has been issued by OGA, Consents & Authorisations Section, Operators are to email a completed Disused pipeline notification form (MS Word Document, 81.7KB) to The Offshore Decommissioning Unit, OPRED,BEIS.

If you are an Operator, aware of any out of use pipelines that have not been referred to the department, please submit a completed DPN 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.

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 streamlined decommissioning programme templates for derogation and non-derogation cases, Operators will therefore have a choice whether to submit a decommissioning programme in the existing format (see Annex C of the Guidance Notes ‘Format and Content’) or adopt the streamlined decommissioning programme template. Operators should discuss individual cases with OPRED.

Further details on the decommissioning process, including the role and content of a decommissioning programme, are available in the Guidance notes for industry on the decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998 (PDF, 755KB, 140 pages)

A Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non-Derogation Cases) (PDF, 1.36MB, 33 pages) is available - (December 2015).

A Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Derogation Cases) (PDF, 1.5MB, 36 pages) is also available (December 2015).

A word version of these templates can also be requested from OPRED. Please email The Offshore Decommissioning Unit 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 Guidance – charging a fee for offshore (oil and gas) installations and pipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998.

Recommendation 2006/05

Recommendation 2006/05 was adopted at the 2006 OSPAR Commission meeting, which introduces a management regime for offshore drill cuttings piles. Drill cuttings consist of rock fragments that have been contaminated in some instances with the drilling mud used to lubricate the drill bit in drilling operations. In some cases these cuttings have been discharged to the seabed, where they can accumulate around the base of installations and at remote subsea drilling locations to form what is known as drill cuttings piles.

The management regime for drill cutting piles is based on the results of the work carried out under the UKOOA Joint Industry Project on drill cuttings between 1998 and 2004. The OSPAR recommendation, which the department implements through the provisions of the Petroleum Act 1998, introduces a two-stage approach to identify those cuttings piles that may require further investigation and to assess the best means of dealing with them. Further details, including a copy of the OSPAR recommendation, can be found in the Guidance notes for industry on the decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998 (PDF, 755KB, 140 pages) .

In recent years there has been a significant and increasing number of UKCS licence assignments from large companies to smaller ones. The introduction of innovative licensing schemes has also brought a number of new companies to the UKCS. Ministers have agreed such activity should be encouraged and as well as new developments, there should be free trade in mature offshore oil and gas assets to extend field life and maximise economic recovery. At the same time, the government has a duty to ensure the taxpayer is not exposed to an unacceptable risk of default in meeting the costs associated with decommissioning.

To enable these 2 goals to be achieved, a policy was developed to ensure adequate security for decommissioning costs is maintained on a field-by-field basis. The details of this policy, including the circumstances in which the government may require the owners of offshore installations and pipelines to provide security or enter into a Decommissioning Security Agreement (DSA), are set out in annexes F and G of the Guidance notes for industry on the decommissioning of offshore installations and pipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998 (PDF, 755KB, 140 pages) .

Document information

Published: 23 January 2013

Updated: 6 September 2017

+ full page history

1. 6 September 2017 Saturn Annabel, Audrey and LDP1 Programmes for public consultation
2. 27 July 2017 DPN form corrected
3. 5 July 2017 generic email address added and DPN form updated (with generic email address)
4. 30 June 2017 Ann and Alison DP's and associated documents added for public consultation
5. 23 June 2017 Fairfield Fagus Limited's Dunlin Fuel Gas Import and Power Import, Merlin and Osprey Decommissioning Documents uploaded
6. 21 June 2017 Brae Area DPs and associated documents available for consultation
7. 5 June 2017 Harding STL Close Out Report added
8. 3 May 2017 Disused Pipeline Notification Form revised - 03 May 17
9. 28 April 2017 Leman BH Decommissioning Programme approved
10. 21 April 2017 Approval of Ettrick and Blackbird DP
11. 3 March 2017 Ninian North Platform documents published for public consultation A4 Programme approved
12. 8 February 2017 Brent Decommissioning Programmes published for consultation
13. 27 January 2017 IVRR Close Out Report added
14. 8 November 2016 Ann A4 Installation Decommissioning Programme added for consultation
15. 6 October 2016 Approved Decommissioning Programmes added
16. 20 September 2016 Atlantic and Cromarty Draft Decommissioning Programmes Consultation
17. 6 September 2016 references of DECC amended to BEIS (including DPN form)
18. 15 July 2016 Janice, James & Affleck Fields - Draft programmes under consideration (added)
19. 13 July 2016 Markham ST-1 Decommissioning Programmes - (added)
20. 16 June 2016 Oil & Gas: Update Notification of Disused Pipelines
21. 16 June 2016 Oil & Gas: Update Table of draft decommissioning programmes under consideration.
22. 2 March 2016 Leadon Decommissioning Programmes - (added)
23. 17 February 2016 Notification of Disused Pipelines form - (updated)
24. 3 February 2016 Harding STL approved decommissioning programme - (added)
25. 3 December 2015 Thames Area - Horne & Wren, Orwell and Wissey approved decommissioning programmes - (added)
26. 23 November 2015 Fife, Flora, Fergus, Angus: decommissioning programme FFFA Close Out Report - (added)
27. 2 November 2015 Thames Area – Thames Complex, Gawain & Arthur - Approved decommissioning programmes - (added)
28. 7 October 2015 Viking Satellites CD,DD,ED,GD,HD draft decommissioning programmes under consideration - (added)
29. 21 September 2015 Oil and Gas: Updated document for Harding STL Decommissioning Programme
30. 18 September 2015 Oil and Gas: Updated “Table of approved decommissioning programmes” table.
31. 6 August 2015 Leman BH draft decommissioning programme - (added)
32. 3 July 2015 Oil and Gas: Addition of Brent field to approved decommissioning programme
33. 29 May 2015 Oil and gas: Rose approved decommissioning programme - (added)
34. 20 May 2015 Decommissioning - Leadon draft programme, follow up consultation - (added)
35. 15 May 2015 Oil and gas: Stamford decommissioning programme - (added)
36. 25 March 2015 Oil and gas: Rose Field decommissioning programmes - (added)
37. 18 February 2015 Oil and gas: Brent – Brent Delta Topside draft decommissioning programme - (added)
38. 3 February 2015 Oil and Gas: Addition of Stamford Field to decommissioning programmes table
39. 9 January 2015 Oil and Gas: Updated the disused pipeline notification form
40. 20 November 2014 Oil and gas: Decommissioning - Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Derogation Cases) - (added)
41. 6 November 2014 Oil and gas: NW Hutton close out report - (added)
42. 16 October 2014 Oil and gas: Decommissioning draft prgrams - Thames - (added)
43. 13 October 2014 Oil and gas: Indefatigable (Shell) close out report - (added)
44. 8 August 2014 Oil and gas: Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non-Derogation Cases) - (updated)
45. 4 August 2014 Oil and gas: Murchison approved decommissioning programme - (added)
46. 5 March 2014 Oil and gas: Rubie & Renee - Approved decommissioning programme - (added)
47. 14 February 2014 Oil and gas: Decommisiioning Linhe close out report - (added)
48. 27 January 2014 Oil and gas: Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non Derogation Cases) - updated
49. 27 January 2014 Oil and gas: Leadon Draft Decommissioning Programme - added
50. 10 December 2013 Oil and gas: Miller decommissioning programme - (added)
51. 19 November 2013 Oil and gas: Rubie/Renee Draft Decommissioning Programme - (added)
52. 13 September 2013 Camelot close out report - added
53. 3 June 2013 Added Murchison draft decommissioning programme
54. 28 January 2013 Added streamlined decommissioning programme template
55. 23 January 2013 Re-created table, added H2's and anchors
56. 23 January 2013 First published.

From: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

Part of: Infrastructure and decommissioning

Related guides: Oil and gas: environmental policy