Neptune Energy has kicked off decommissioning of its Juliet field in the North Sea with the removal of a huge subsea manifold.
Juliet, around 25miles off the Yorkshire coast, started producing in 2014 as a tieback to the Perenco-operated Pickerill A platform.
It ceased production last year, with Neptune receiving approval for the decom plans in August.
The firm has now got work underway, having used a diamond wire saw from the BOKA Atlantis dive support vessel to cut subsea cables earlier this month.
It has also recovered a 190-tonne subsea manifold using a crane from Ocean Yield’s “Connector” vessel.
It will be taken to the new decommissioning hub in Dundee for dismantling, and the valves will be refurbished for future re-use.
Neptune’s interim managing director for the UK, Pierre Girard, said: “The decommissioning of Juliet has proceeded safely, smoothly and efficiently.
“Such an operation involves a great deal of collaboration with all of our stakeholders and partners, and I’d like to pay tribute to everyone involved for their dedication and professionalism.”
Juliet used Pickerill A to transport gas to the Theddlethorpe terminal.
Perenco submitted decommissioning plans for the Pickerill Alpha and Bravo installations in July.