Monday 12 February 2018

Energy ports and supply chain companies across Scotland are expected to benefit from a new study published 5th February 2018 into decommissioning opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

The study focuses primarily on oil and gas floating assets including FPSO platforms, MODUs and semisubmersible platforms, which could present a niche decommissioning opportunity for Scottish sites.

It was commissioned by Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Scottish Government through the government’s Decommissioning Challenge Fund (DCF). It was carried out by Westwood Energy Group

Outlined within the study is the potential size and outlook of this specific market, onshore disposal site requirements, decommissioning processes for floating assets and opportunities that exist for the Scottish supply chain.

Publication of the report follows the announcement last week, that six projects across Scotland will be offered a share of £1.5m in the second round of the DCF. The DCF supports infrastructure improvements and innovation to deliver decommissioning of North Sea oil and gas structures.

The Buchan Alpha platform, currently being decommissioned at Dales Voe in Lerwick, is one of only two floating production assets to select Scotland as their decommissioning location. The report emphasises however that market activity in this area may ramp up in the coming years.

Included in the report is also an analysis on the decommissioning market for offshore support vessels (OSV). This largely untapped market in Europe presents opportunities nationally.