Field Redevelopment and Weight Shedding for Decommissioning of Offshore Facilities

Abstract

There is currently a rising interest in reusing and repurposing offshore facilities through decommissioning; however, major challenges arise, such as size, weight, sea depth, planned use, and location. This article aims to discuss the philosophy that needs to be adopted for field redevelopment, particularly when existing platforms must be preserved and integrated into new greenfield facilities. The article also discusses the concept of weight shedding during the decommissioning of offshore facilities to either extend the life of existing platforms or provide clear space for new equipment to be installed by removing unnecessary components and structures. The above aspects of decommissioning are investigated through the redevelopment of a case study of a mature offshore oil field located in shallow water. The study indicated that weight shedding presents a favourable method for decommissioning offshore installations and can effectively lower expenses, minimise environmental consequences, and optimise the use of resources.