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Decommissioning Milestones
May 2006 – Status of Decommissioning Activities
After the bypass of the two 32” pipelines which formerly passed through MCP-01, the offshore work related to preparing the topsides for removal was completed late summer 2005.
Following the statutory consultation, TOTAL E&P UK received in November 2005 the UK and Norwegian Governments’ agreement for early removal of the topside facilities on MCP-01. This agreement was necessary in order that the MCP-01 work could be integrated with the Frigg Cessation Project operated by TOTAL E&P NORGE AS. Collaboration between two TOTAL affiliates across the border will gain maximum synergy effects.
The removal of the topside facilities before obtaining approval of the full MCP-01 Decommissioning Programme will not prejudice the assessment of decommissioning alternatives applicable to the concrete substructure.
Offshore removal works began in August 2006. During this period the Port Reval flotel was located next to MCP-01. Equipment was removed by use of a heavy lift vessel and by a “piece small” technique where the steel is cut into smaller items for transport in containers to shore. Offshore removal works are planned to be continued over the next 2-3 years depending on availbity of suitable flotel and heavy-lift barge facilities.
October 2004 – Award of contract for removal of MCP-01 topsides
The early award of the topside removal contract was considered important since it allows the project to be integrated with the Frigg Cessation Project currently being carried out with TOTAL E&P UK’s sister company in Norway TOTAL E&P Norge. Significant synergy effects are expected from such collaboration.
The contract was awarded to Aker Kvaerner Offshore Partner AS on October 26th, 2004. The contract includes engineering, preparation, offshore removal and onshore disposal of three steel jackets and five topsides at the Frigg Field as well as the topside facilities on MCP-01. Some 20,000 tonnes of materials (of a total of 82,000 tonnes) will be taken to Shetland for dismantling, the rest will go to Stord in Norway. All the steel will be recycled.
The award of a contract for removal of the topside facilities before gaining approval of the full MCP-01 Decommissioning Programme will not prejudice the assessment of all the decommissioning alternatives for to the concrete substructure. Before attempting a possible refloat of the concrete substructure the topsides would have to be removed in any case together with the ballast inside the external wall.
September 2004 – First Draft of MCP-01 Decommissioning Programme submitted
A first draft of the MCP-01 Decommissioning Programme was submitted to the UK and Norwegian authorities for consideration. This first stage in the approval process of the Programme will last some three months. The next stage will be a public consultation on the draft document with statutory consultees as well as a wider group of interested parties.
August 2004 – By-pass work of one pipeline successfully completed
As the pipelines which run through the bottom of MCP-01, will continue to be in use after the platform is decommissioned, it is necessary to reroute them. The 32” Frigg UK and the 18” Talisman pipelines were successfully rerouted this summer. The 32” Vesterled pipeline reroute is planned for summer 2005.
March 2004 – Approval of the EIA scope of work
Following input from stakeholders on the Environmental Impact Assessment scope of work, the Norwegian authority approved the EIA programme. The development of a separate EIA document is only a legal requirement in Norway. In the UK, the EIA forms part of the Decommissioning Programme and, as such, is approved as part of the whole process, at a later date.
January 2004 – Initiation of the consultation process
The consultation process for MCP-01 decommissioning was launched with the placement of a public announcement in key UK national, regional and specific interests publications and all interested parties were invited to participate in the process.
At the same time letters with an information pack were sent out to previously linked stakeholder organisations inviting them to participate in MCP-01’s decommissioning process. A reply form was enclosed to ascertain the stakeholders’ level of interest.
The planned scope of work for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was also enclosed and inviting comments on the proposed programme.
In addition, a Fact Sheet was issued outlining the history and main features of the platform