Brent platforms go to Able UK

OE Staff Feb 10, 2014

Able UK has been awarded a contract for the disposal of four offshore structures from the Shell operated Brent field in the North Sea.

The contract will see three platform topsides, as well as a 138m-high steel platform jacket, transported from the Brent field, 100mi. northeast of Scotland, to Able Seaton Port on Teesside.

The timing of the arrival of the first topside is subject to further offshore preparation work and regulatory approvals

About 100 jobs will be created during the 18 month construction of the new quay with the six-year recycling contract itself generating a further 100 new jobs. It is anticipated that over 97% of the structures will be reused or recycled.

The platforms will be individually transported from the Brent field to the Tees on board Allseas' newly constructed Pieter Schelte vessel (pictured, during construction in South Korea), which has been specially designed for single lift installation and removal works.

Since 1985, Able has imported over 60 structures for major companies and organisations including BP, Conoco, Hamilton Oil, Shell, Total/Fina/Elf and both the US and French Governments.

Able UK managing director Andrew Jacques said: “We are delighted to have been selected to undertake this significant platform decommissioning project. This six-year contract will see the deployment of the very latest techniques and technologies in the recycling of these materials.

“We are looking forward to working with our partners on this project, and we are justifiably proud to have been selected for this exciting project.

“Able Seaton Port is already a superb facility and it will see further investment from Able UK Limited with the construction of what will be one of Europe’s heaviest load bearing quays (60t/m2) along with associated infrastructure at the northern end of the dry dock to receive the structures. This will enable the topsides and jackets to be shipped to the new quay for dismantling.”