Decommissioning Costs Can Be Reduced

摘要

Decommissioning Costs can be reduced. Many costs are higher than needed due to decisions made duringthe initial engineering and construction of an offshore oil or gas field. Five years of decommissioning data,throughout the world have been studied. Key areas have been identified where decisions made duringdesign have affected the eventual decommissioning costs. Examples of possible decommissioning costsavings are listed.Economics for 60, 000 barrels of oil per day oil field show that a reduction in decommissioning costsof 50% can increase the Project Net Present Value by 13%. The five stages of decommissioning anoffshore development are described with the cost percentage split for each stage using North Sea data. Themajor cost drivers of a decommissioning project are stated. For each of the major cost drivers practicalexamples are given as how the costs could be reduced during design by changing the design. Thesechanges will increase the choices for removal. The scope of the decommissioning studies duringconceptual and detailed design are listed. Finally the missing technologies will be listed as experience hasshown that cost reduction and safety can be enhanced if new technology could be developed.The guidance for project design reviews is provided to direct designers and engineers so they canconsider decommissioning as part of their work.