ABL Group, an independent energy and marine consultancy group for the global renewables, marine and oil and gas sectors, has been appointed for the L7 field decommissioning project.
The company has been chosen by TotalEnergies EP Nederland as marine collateral inspector for field decommissioning operations in the Dutch sector of the North Sea.
The “L7 Restitution Project” includes the decommissioning of nine jackets and ten upper modules, including the bridge structures of the L7 field. The total weight of the facilities is approximately 17,500 tonnes, the ABL Group said in its statement.
ABL noted that it will provide marine assurance survey services for preparations, elevated moves, transportation and relocation at the land-based dismantling yard located in Norway. ABL will also conduct suitability surveys of all marine units to be used for the project.
ABL will manage the project from its office in Aberdeen, Scotland. It will be supported by its operations in the Netherlands and Norway. The group said it estimates the value of its contract at approximately 500,000 euros ($546,325).
“The ABL Group has a long history in the oil and gas industry and extensive experience with the important challenges and considerations that can affect decommissioning work. We are delighted to be partnering with TotalEnergies EP Nederland on the L7 project as part of our growing portfolio of work in this area,” says Ashley Perrett, ABL Country Manager Scotland.
Planning work has already begun and offshore operations will take place during 2023 and 2024, according to the company’s statement. The facilities will be removed by a floating crane which will transfer the cargo to a barge in sheltered waters near Den Helder, Holland, for subsequent transfer to the dismantling yard located in Vats, Norway. AF Offshore Decom will manage the removal and recycling of the facilities.
“The dismantling of oil and gas deposits is a complex task. As a non-productive cost, we fully appreciate the importance of identifying the right solution to ensure profitability without compromising safety and quality,” says Nicholas Kaczynski, ABL Group Project Manager for the L7 decommissioning project.
The L7 field was one of the first large offshore gas fields on the Dutch continental shelf, ABL noted, adding that the initial discovery occurred in the late 1960s and development of several reservoirs took place in throughout the seventies and eighties. From 15 producing wells, the field produced more than 21 billion cubic meters of natural gas (~140 Mboe) with a recovery factor of >80 percent), ABL said. After 40 years of operation, the facilities ceased production in 2017, the ABL Group noted.
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