Italy's Saipem is to use its Saipem 7000 heavy lift vessel to remove BP's Miller platform topsides and jacket in the UK North Sea.
The Miller field, which is 270km north east of Aberdeen, in Blocks 16/7b and 16/8b, in the Central North Sea, ceased production in 2007, and BP has already completed the first phase of decommissioning, involving well abandonment and topsides clean up. The UK Government approved the decommissioning program in December 2013.
The pipelines, which were used to export oil and gas from the Miller installation, have been flushed clear of hydrocarbons and are being left in place for potential future use.
Saipem's contract is an engineer, procure, remove and dispose (EPRD) contract for the decommissioning of the topsides and jacket of BP’s Miller Platform.
The Saipem 7000 is equipped with a dynamic positioning system, has a 14,000-tonne lifting capacity, and is capable of laying subsea pipelines in ultra-deep waters.
The use of the Saipem 7000 for projects such as the Miller Project eliminates the need for additional cargo barges and allows operations to be conducted in a much safer manner and in a less restrictive weather window.
Over the last decade, Saipem has performed a variety of major decommissioning projects, including the Frigg Field decommissioning and, more recently, the removal of the Ekofisk 2/4 S jacket and the Ekofisk 2/4 G bridge.
Saipem's, UK business, which currently employs over 800 people, has operated in the UK since 1983, with offices in London and Aberdeen, and will carry out project management, engineering and operations work.
In April 2016, Petrofac was awarded a Duty Holder contract from BP to support the late life management of the Miller platform. Under the contract, Petrofac assumes operator responsibility for the platform and will manage all aspects of on and offshore activities as the decommissioning program progresses.