‘Monumental year’ for Mermaid Subsea as it breaks North Sea decommissioning record

Aberdeen-headquartered Mermaid Subsea Services (UK) has plugged and abandoned (P&A) 30 wells in the UK North Sea during 2024, claiming that this is the highest number of vessel-based well decommissioning operations ever completed in a single year within the region.

The work was carried out using the Island Valiant vessel and includes a 21-well P&A campaign for a North Sea operator, designated as the largest vessel-based North Sea decommissioning campaign in history.

Mermaid also wrapped up the first stage of a major North Sea decommissioning contract for Shell U.K. Limited, with subsequent phases to follow in 2025 and 2026.

“It has been a monumental year for Mermaid, one that has cemented our position as a major player in the North Sea subsea and P&A market,” said Scott Cormack, Regional Director for Mermaid Subsea Services (UK).

“Recent research from Offshore Energies UK (OEUK) found that operators need to plug 200 abandoned North Sea oil and gas wells a year to stay on top of targets. If the sector is to achieve this it will require the market to deliver innovative decommissioning models, like the vessel-based solution offered by Mermaid.”

According to the company, last year’s milestone was accompanied by an associated increase in headcount, with Mermaid growing significantly. Plans include growth in Westhill further in 2025 in response to an increasing backlog.

This will be supported by Mermaid’s dive vessel, set to enter the North Sea market in 2025.

“It is clear from the demand for Mermaid’s unique and tailored offering that the North Sea market requires another contractor to tackle the mammoth amount of work that is coming down the pipeline,” Cormack noted.

“With new additions, contract wins and completed projects, 2024 was an immensely successful year for Mermaid and we look forward to building on this further in 2025 when we will be bringing our own dive vessel to the region.”