The Oil & Gas Technology Centre and the University of Aberdeen plan to create a new Decommissioning Centre of Excellence to tackle current and future industry challenges.
Over the next decade, around 100 platforms and 7,500 kilometers of pipeline on the UK Continental Shelf are forecast for decommissioning, with costs estimated to be £59 billion to 2050.
In partnership with companies, the Centre of Excellence will develop and deploy technology that delivers cost effective decommissioning at the end of field life, and during oil and gas production operations, including ‘small piece’ decommissioning techniques.
The Centre will be industry led, focusing on current challenges such as facilities clean-up and removal and well plugging and abandonment. It will also explore opportunities to optimize future design for recycling and reuse, including the use of new materials.
Scheduled to open in late 2018, the Centre will be based at the University’s Oceanlab facility, located in the Energetica corridor, which stretches from Aberdeen to Peterhead.
Colette Cohen , CEO, The Oil & Gas Technology Centre said: “This ground-breaking partnership between the Oil & Gas Technology Centre and the University of Aberdeen will help fundamentally change the way we think about decommissioning. It will drive the technology innovation needed to maximize economic recovery, make sure that facilities are decommissioned efficiently and help the UK create the strong and vibrant supply chain it needs to become a global leader in this growth market.
“Involvement from companies in oil and gas and other sectors is critical to our success. We are now seeking industry partners with experience, ideas and equipment, who want to co-invest with us to deliver a step change in performance, with support from the Oil & Gas Authority, the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning, and the Health & Safety Executive.”
Professor Mike Greaves , senior vice-principal, University of Aberdeen added: “We are delighted to partner with the Oil & Gas Technology Centre on what is believed to be the world’s first Centre of Excellence for Decommissioning.
“The new Centre of Excellence is an exciting opportunity to build a world-class research and development facility right here in the north-east of Scotland, and we are looking forward to helping develop the innovation, expertise and skills that will play an important role in the future of the industry both here and internationally.”