New decommissioning plans have been filed for a North Sea complex that was once earmarked for military use.
The UK Government approved plans in 2004 which would have let the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to use the Beatrice field for training drills.
But operator Repsol Sinopec Resources UK (RSRUK) had to come up with a new plan after the MoD backed out of the agreement.
It submitted a new draft programme yesterday.
Beatrice, located about 14 miles off Helmsdale, was discovered in 1976 by Mesa Petroleum and came on stream in 1981.
Ownership passed through a series of companies, including BP and Talisman Energy.
Spanish firm Repsol bought Talisman’s global assets, including its 51% interest in Beatrice-operator Talisman Sinopec Energy UK, now RSRUK, in 2015.
The field was served by Beatrice Alpha, a complex made up of two bridge-linked platforms, and the Bravo and Charlie rigs.
RSRUK intends remove the topsides, jackets and subsea infrastructure, while leaving pipelines in situ.
Two demonstrator wind turbines which were installed in 2007 will also be taken ashore.
Topside removal is scheduled to begin in 2025, with onshore recycling slated for completion by 2030.
Alvaro Ranero, vice-president for decommissioning and investment management at RSRUK, said the filing was a significant milestone in Beatrice’s history.
RSRUK has already managed to complete the plugging and abandonment (P&A) of all wells on the Bravo and Charlie fields ahead of schedule and under budget.
Mr Ranero added: “Learnings from these activities will inform the effective delivery and optimising of costs for the subsequent P&A programme on Beatrice Alpha and indeed for the rest of our decommissioning portfolio.”
Recommended for you
