Ten out of 38 operators reported technologies in this category.
Solutions and approaches included the adoption of a factory approach, subsea cutting and dredging technologies, and post-decommissioning monitoring via autonomous underwater vehicles.
The growing use of digital solutions was noted, including for predictive decommissioning modelling, scheduling and optimisation.
Facilities decommissioning technologies
Operators’ technology focus spreads across the entire decommissioning cycle, encompassing asset late-life management, work planning, topsides removal and subsea decommissioning.
The number or decommissioning technologies reported is slightly up on last year, although more assets are in the late life stage.Ten operators reported technologies in this area.
Approximately 33% of entries in the facilities decommissioning category are in the early development or late development/pilot stages, while the rest are either proven or in early commercialisation.
Operators are seeking to participate in decommissioning technology development and adoption, complementing the vendors’ efforts on circa 35% of technologies.
Readiness definitions: Early development (TRL 1-4), late development/pilot (TRL 5-7), early commercialisation (TRL 8), proven (TRL 9)
New technologies include an ROV deployed, horizontal access, non-hydraulic clamp for subsea wellhead removal and long-term peat storage as a means of carbon offsetting.
- Wellhead retrieval clamp: ROV deployed, horizontal access, non-hydraulic clamp for subsea wellhead removal.
- TRL 8 early commercialisation (New)
- Adopting a factory approach: New/alternative contracting strategies for decommissioning.
- TRL 1-4 early development (New)
Emerging technologies include remote safety systems during installation cold stack.
Technology example:
Modular deck construction and maintenance programmes demand bespoke methods of access that deliver optimum levels of safety and efficiency. QuikDeck® can be built in the air, or on the ground and then hoisted into location.
- Facility decommissioning: Use of remote safety systems during installation cold stack phase.
- TRL 5-7 late development/pilot (New)
New this year are a subsea diverless flexible riser/pipeline separation using ROV deployed tool, a double block and bleed facility to enable disconnection from subsea gas trunkline, subsea cutting technology for foundations, piles, wellheads, conductor strings, and the development of tooling to suit very hard clay soil removal.
- Subsea diverless flexible riser/pipeline separation: Subsea ROV deployed tool to cut through flange bolts enabling pipeline/riser to be separated and pipeline then capped for future use, using ROV deployed expanding plug.
- TRL 9 commercially available (New)
- Double block and bleed facility to enable disconnection from subsea gas trunkline.
- TRL 9 commercially available (New)
- Subsea cutting technology for foundations, piles, wellheads, conductor strings horizontally through the seabed.
- TRL 9 commercially available (New)
- Dredging tool for stiff clay soil: Along with recognised experts in subsea dredging, development of tooling to suit very hard clay soil removal.
- TRL 8 early commercialisation (New)
Technology example:
Utility ROV Services: Swiss army knife ROV based decommissioning tool skid. De-burial of assets, recovery of concrete mattresses, cutting and recovery of pipeline, spools and flexibles, clearance of debris and burial of exposed pipeline ends.
Technology example link
Please refer to the overall technology listing – a downloadable file listing all 1,320 technologies, including previously reported entries, which can be found on the home page of this report (no new technologies this year).
Please refer to the overall technology listing – a downloadable file listing all 1,320 technologies, including previously reported entries, which can be found on the home page of this report (no new technologies this year).
Please refer to the overall technology listing – a downloadable file listing all 1,320 technologies, including previously reported entries, which can be found on the home page of this report (no new technologies this year).
