DECOMMISSIONING & ABANDONMENT: Projects

ConocoPhillips Green Canyon Platform Decommissioning

Client: ConocoPhillips

InterAct developed the strategy and concepts to safely decommission the deep-water offshore production facilities in the Jolliet and Marquette fields in the Gulf of Mexico. The Jolliet facilities include a tension-leg well platform (TLWP), 20 wells, foundation and drilling templates, risers and flowlines in 1760 feet of water. This is the deepest TLWP to be abandoned in the U.S.

InterAct obtained all major agency approvals necessary for decommissioning and removal of the facilities, including those from the MMS, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, U.S. Coast Guard, and Army Corps of Engineers. The workscope included: developing the preliminary philosophy and plans, permitting deliverables, planning, cost estimate and schedule, economic and project risk identification and analysis, and defining resource requirements. Follow-on work included refining the cost estimate to obtain corporate funding, developing a cross-functional integrated schedule, permitting, identifying HSE issues, preparing final Execution Plans, issuing contracts, procurement and logistics to achieve the optimum dismantlement timing and cost.

ChevronTexaco Gaviota Gas Plant Excess Equipment Removal

Client: ChevronTexaco

InterAct developed the Project Execution Plan and related agency deliverables for the partial decommissioning of the Gaviota Gas Plant in California. Our personnel prepared an Isolation Plan to safely isolate equipment to be removed while minimizing disruption to the facility that remained in operation. This effort included developing plans to safely remove very large vessels (bullets) and towers from within operating sections of the plant.

InterAct developed all the necessary plans to secure final agency permits, including: Equipment Removal Plans, Restoration, Erosion Control & Revegetation Plan, Transportation Plan, Grading Permit, Emergency Response Plan, Noise Monitoring and Control Plan, Bio-resources Protection Plan, Heavy Lift and Rigging Plan, Safety, Inspection, Maintenance and Quality Assurance Program, Mechanical Integrity Manual, Fire Protection Plan, Environmental Quality Assurance Plan, Hazardous Waste and Management Plan, Recycling Program, Site Security Plan, and Equipment Staging and Storage Plan.

ARCO PRC-421 Pier Remnant Removal

Client: ARCO Environmental Remediation LLC

InterAct successfully managed and permitted the removal of ARCO’s remnant pier structure and associated seafloor debris off the coast of Goleta, California. Because the old pier was considered by state resource agencies as substantial roosting habitat for the endangered brown pelican, ARCO was required to mitigate for this loss of habitat by constructing four replacement bird roosting platforms in the same location. InterAct designed, managed, and oversaw the construction of these steel-pile roosting platforms as well as an artificial reef to enhance the kelp habitat on the State tidelands lease.

This highly visible project required extensive interactions with permitting agencies and environmental groups. InterAct provided comprehensive permitting services, preparing applications, providing testimony, and responding to agency questions. Permits were obtained from the California State Lands Commission, California Coastal Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Dept. of Fish & Game, U.S. Coast Guard, and Air Pollution Control District.

InterAct developed the Project Execution, Safety, and Mitigation Plans to enable the use of linear shaped charges to sever the 9’ diameter columns. Considerable planning and consultation was necessary to ensure the safety of project personnel, marine mammals, and nearby endangered wildlife. InterAct managed the entire field effort, including pier demolition, roost construction, pre- and post-project marine biological surveys, marine mammal monitoring program, and comprehensive regulatory compliance program on behalf of ARCO.

InterAct completes challenging subsea well abandonment in UK waters (Client: Centrica)

InterAct, an Acteon company, has successfully completed the abandonment of an unusual well for Centrica Hydrocarbon Resources Limited in the East Irish Sea. Observation well 110/2-7 was drilled in 1983 and used to monitor temperatures and pressures in the South Morecambe gas field. The well was enclosed within a bathymetric chamber to enable divers to gain occasional access to the various gauges attached to the well. After a period of use, the well was suspended and, in 1999, part of the chamber removed and chamber left flooded. read more >>

Well Abandonment Study

Client: Oil & Gas UK

InterAct has used its expertise in well categorisation and project planning to produce a study of the North Sea well-abandonment business on behalf of Oil & Gas UK.

The study shows the number and the nature of wells that need abandoning in the region as well as the value of such work. It also highlights technology gaps in a bid to encourage the service sector to gear up for the considerable amount of work that needs to be done.

ExxonMobil Goleta Beach Well Re-Abandonment

Client: ExxonMobil

InterAct managed re-abandonment of existing oil wells located in the surf zone of the popular Goleta beach, California. Working during low tides, field crews safely unearthed the wells, repaired the damaged casing, tested and re-abandoned the wells installing new wellheads. The sensitive location required special consideration for access, construction permits, and final testing / monitoring.