Decommissioning of MCP-01

TOTAL E&P UK as operator of MCP-01 on behalf of Elf Exploration UK and the Gassled partners (Petoro, Statoil, Norsk Hydro Produksjon, TOTAL E&P Norge, Esso Exploration & Production Norway, Norske Shell Pipelines, Mobil Development Norway, Norsea Gas, Norske ConocoPhillips and Eni Norge) is currently assessing possible decommissioning options for the platform.

A number of studies are being done to collect data upon which the different decommissioning options will be assessed. Subject to consultation and all necessary approvals, the decommissioning process is planned to take place over a number of years from 2004.

The participation of stakeholders in this process is an important part of developing an acceptable decommissioning solution for MCP-01.

Our primary objective is to ensure that the platform is decommissioned in a responsible manner taking into account safety, environment, technical feasibility, societal and economic factors. This will involve, where possible, the removal to shore for re-use, recycling or disposal. As the platform is a candidate for derogation under the terms of the OSPAR Decision 98/3, an alternative disposal method for the concrete substructure might be considered if there are significant reasons why complete removal is not feasible.

The substructure of MCP-01 has never been used for the storage of hydrocarbons. No wells have been drilled from the platform and there are therefore no associated drill cuttings either inside the structure or on the surrounding seabed.

Decommissioning was originally planned to take place around 2024 when no further use of the pipelines was expected. However, recent safety studies have concluded that even with the existing level of maintenance work, it is uncertain whether an acceptable standard of safety can be maintained on a not-normally-manned platform which would be 50 years old at the time of decommissioning.

The UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) have decided, under the provision of the Frigg Treaty, that there will be a joint approach by the UK and Norway to the decommissioning of MCP-01.