Vysus to inspect Well-Safe’s rig ahead of upcoming North Sea decom gigs

Vysus Group’s ModuSpec has been chosen to verify whether the Well-Safe Solutions’ rig and its upgrades are fit-for-purpose to complete the upcoming decommissioning campaigns in the UK sector of the North Sea.

The company reported on Wednesday that it was hired to determine whether the rig could handle the decommissioning campaigns in compliance with industry standards.

Liam Pirie, Business Development Manager for ModuSpec, stated: “We are delighted to have been awarded this scope of work by Well-Safe Solutions, as we recognise the importance of being a trusted partner considering this milestone for both the company and the rig on its maiden contract.”

Optimised specifically for well decommissioning operations in the UK, the Well-Safe Guardian is an Earl & Wright 700 series mid-water semi-submersible unit. ModuSpec’s team will carry out the inspection of the Well-Safe Guardian semi-submersible prior to the rig being mobilised for its well plug and abandonment (P&A) contracts.

As a reminder, Well-Safe secured two major contract wins earlier in 2021 for the Well-Safe Guardian. Due to this, the rig is set to decommission dozens of wells in the UKCS in 2022. The first multi-million-pound contract was awarded by Repsol Sinopec Resources for the decommissioning of 14 subsea wells in Hannay and Buchan fields off the UK. The second decommissioning contract for this rig is with CNR International for the decommissioning of up to 14 wells on the Banff and Kyle fields.

Well-Safe acquired the rig in 2019 and the unit has undergone an extensive overhaul and modernisation project to reconfigure it exclusively for P&A scopes.

“ModuSpec has extensive experience in rig inspection in the North Sea having been involved with over 30 semi-submersible rig intakes in the past two years, and a variety of stacked rig/rig reactivation projects, so we are well placed to support Well-Safe Solutions with this campaign and we look forward to getting started later this month,” concluded Pirie.

ModuSpec’s inspection programme will report on the condition of the unit’s equipment and maintenance management system. In addition, it will provide independent verification that it is fit-for-purpose, in compliance with recognised industry standards.

A Well-Safe Solutions spokesperson commented: “ModuSpec’s service has been professional and focused to ensure delivery within a tight timeline. A collaborative working relationship has been quickly established, and we’re pleased to have benefited from their operational experience in ensuring the Well-Safe Guardian is fit for purpose.”