WATCH: Semi-sub rig arrives at UK port to get ready for its inaugural decom gig in North Sea

A semi-submersible rig, owned by the Aberdeen-based decommissioning services provider, Well-Safe Solutions, has arrived at a port in Scotland to prepare for its first decommissioning assignment on the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS).

Back in July 2022, Well-Safe Solutions disclosed a deal to plug and abandon (P&A) 14 wells on the UKCS, explaining that the contract represented the first job secured for the Well-Safe Defender semi-submersible rig, which was purchased in June 2022 from Awilco Drilling.

This rig was converted into a decommissioning asset from a drilling rig previously known as WilPhoenix. As explained by Well-Safe when the rig’s first decommissioning deal was announced, the Well-Safe Defender rig was expected to undergo a “host of efficiency enhancements” as part of its integration into the business as well as the completion of its recertification ahead of mobilisation in March 2023.

The firm secured this contract with a European operator and the rig is expected to mobilise in March 2023 for approximately 250 days of work.

In an update on Thursday, the UK-based Aventus Energy informed in a post on social media that they were “delighted to support Well-Safe Solutions and First Marine Solutions with bringing their newest addition, the Well-Safe Defender into Invergordon. With our service partners, we were able to execute the safe arrival and mooring at Invergordon.”

The UK player further adds that it looks forward to continuing working with the Well-Safe Solutions team to execute “a number of scopes onboard ahead of mobilisation later this year. We would like to thank Well-Safe Solutions for entrusting Aventus Energy with this project.”

In a separate post, the Port of Cromarty Firth also confirmed the arrival of this rig, describing the video of the arrival as “great footage and work! A nice opportunity to see the skill involved in this type of execution.”

Watch the arrival of the Well-Safe Defender to the Port of Cromarty Firth

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Regarding Well-Safe Solutions’ other recent decommissioning deals, it is worth noting that the company secured a decommissioning campaign – covering more than 20 wells in the Dutch and UK sectors of the North Sea – with Neptune Energy in September 2022. The firm’s other contract wins also include deals with Ithaca Energy, Repsol Sinopec and CNR International.

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