Intervention/Decommissioning

By Nicholas Samford
Lloyds Register
Intervention/Decommissioning SME

Working together
for a safer world
Planning Decommissioning Operations

Planning Decommissioning and P&A

 Single well or multi-well campaigns.
 Batch set P&A lower abandonments?
 Cost analysis of riser or riser-less based lower abandonments.
 What is the burn rate of a riser system compared to Riserless?
 Does the well require a riser system?
 Cheaper MODU’s mean a cheaper operation overall?
 Vessel availability and functionality.
 Vessel in “down turn” availability is high yet so is alternative equipment.
 Is the vessel right for the full operation or only certain parts?
 Platform Decommissioning
 Can you re-use the vessel in question?
 Is “Toppling in place” a viable option?
 Are there regulations against “Reefing”?
 Are the costs of recycling too high?
 Are there specialty tools that can cut
time and costs?
 What method of decommissioning is
best suited for your operation?

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Decommissioning and Abandonment

What exactly does Decommissioning entail?

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 Economics Re-use Safety Disposal
CoP Area access
NUI
Turndown
Surface Cleaning
Surveys Occupational
EOFL
Divestment
DECC
Partners SCEs Staff Retention
Timing Tax
Estimates
Strategy Training
Integrity Management
Rig Capacity SIMOPS
Provisions

Innovation Escape Routes

Studies Risk
Derogation Approvals
Standards
Integrity HAZID
Modelling
Safety Case
Flowlines
Market
Reserves
Beds Decommissioning Rigless Cleaning
Pipelines
Production Piece Small
As-Building
Subsea Caisson Removal Well P&A
Removal
Utilities Facilities
Telecomms
Venting and Purging HLVs
Program Fluid disposal
Isolations
Mothballing
Chemical Cleaning
Design for Removal
Electrical Load
Superlifters Flushing and Purging
OPEX
Separation
Temporary Power Asbestos
Disposal Pipeline Abandonment
Commissioning Burial
Deck Space

U.P.S. Underwater Cutting Waste Segregation

Power Distribution
Area Classification NORM Underwater Lifting
Well Abandonment

REGULATIONS
 API 17G
 API 17G4
 30 CFR 250

SURFACE
 Platform Based



SUBSEA
 MODU
 Riser Based Intervention
 Riserless Based Intervention

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Surface Decommissioning and Abandonment

PLATFORM BASED
 Rig up on platform for diagnostics and P&A operations.
 Pros
 Cheaper than running a separate rig or lift boat
 Better communications due to more compact work areas
 Less traversing from vessel to vessel
 Work in conjunction with production personnel for SIMOPS
 Cons
 Limited configuration of equipment
 Limited equipment that can be placed on work decks due to weight and size constraints
 More use of support vessels, which include fuel, personnel, and boat costs.
 Limited by crane functionality or crane load capacity, that is if the platform crane is in
commission.

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Subsea Decommissioning and Abandonment

SUBSEA BASED
 Modu’s
 Pros
 Plenty of deck space for all equipment
 Use of derrick for running riser and pulling tubing, casing, and subsea equipment
 Up to date cranes and space to lay out tubing and pipe
 Use of subsea BOP stack, marine riser, and SSTT’s
 More room for personnel
 Cons
 EXPENSIVE!!!
 Long rig up times
 Longer well hopping times
 Most Modu’s were made for drilling and therefore are not designed to accept
decommissioning equipment
 Requires more 3rd party personnel to work the bigger P&A/Intervention packages.

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 Subsea Decommissioning and Abandonment

Subsea Based
 Riser Based Decommission/Intervention
 Pros
 Quicker time back in hole
 Quicker laying out tubing, pipe, and down
hole equipment with the crane
 Full bore pressure rated riser from well to
surface
 Can run coil tubing
 Subsea IWCE stack and a surface BOP, i.e.
wireline, coil tubing, and snubbing BOP’s
 Cons
 Longer time run system.
 Cumbersome to run.
 Testing can take longer due to riser joint make up leaks.

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Subsea Decommissioning and Abandonment

Riser-less based
 Pros
 Quicker to run
 Faster well hopping
 Lower overall day rate
 Less personnel and equipment needed
 Cons
 Can not run coil tubing
 Deck space is limited
 Can only perform bottom side P&A

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Why do we have regulations?

• The overall objective of Regulation is to define auditable requirements that facilitate
international standardization to enable safe and economic development of offshore oil and
gas. It is intended for worldwide application in the petroleum industry. It is not intended to
replace sound engineering judgment. It is necessary that users of local non government
regulations be aware that additional or different requirements can better suit the demands of
a particular service environment, the regulations of a jurisdictional authority, or other
scenarios not specifically addressed.
• It is important that users of non governmental regulations be aware that further or differing
requirements can be needed for individual applications. This standard is not intended to
inhibit a manufacturer from offering, or the end user from accepting, alternative equipment,
or engineering solutions for the individual application. This can be particularly applicable
where there is innovative or developing technology. Where an alternative is offered, it is the
responsibility of the manufacturer to identify any variations from this standard and provide
details.

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Subsea Decommissioning and Abandonment

Regulations

 API 17G
 API 17G presents the requirements and gives recommendations for the
performance, design, analysis, materials, fabrication, inspection, testing, welding,
marking, handling, storing, shipment, and purchase, of subsea
completion/workover riser equipment as one form of well intervention systems
run from a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) or multi-purpose vessels.
 API 17G is intended to serve as a common reference for designers, manufacturers,
and operators/users, thereby reducing the need for end user specifications. This
API 17G also eliminates the need for interpretation of the applicability of
requirements given by other codes and standards for permanently installed
equipment.

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Subsea Decommissioning and Abandonment

 API 17G4
 API 17G4 is intended to supplement API Spec 17G with regard to open water riserless subsea
well interventions. The document’s purpose is to illustrate recommendations for the design,
build, and operation of open water riserless subsea well intervention systems. Most equipment
used for riserless well intervention are covered by standards widely used by the industry and as
such are to be governed by those standards. If not specifically referenced in this supplement,
then the expectation is that the main API 17G document prevails.

 Specific equipment covered by API 17G4 for Riserless subsea well intervention operations is
listed as follows:
 Riserless Well Control Package (RWCP)
 Lubricator Assembly
 Pressure Control Head and Dynamic Seal
 Disconnect Systems
 Control Systems
 Injection/Circulation System
 Connectors

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Subsea Decommissioning and Abandonment

 30 CFR 250
 The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) authorized the Bureau of Safety and Environmental
Enforcement (BSEE) to regulate oil, gas, and sulphur exploration, development, and production
operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Under the Secretary's authority, the Director
requires that all operations:
 (a) Be conducted according to the OCS Lands Act (OCSLA), the regulations in this part, BSEE
orders, the lease or right-of-way, and other applicable laws, regulations, and amendments; and
 (b) Conform to sound conservation practice to preserve, protect, and develop mineral resources of
the OCS to:
 (1) Make resources available to meet the Nation's energy needs;
 (2) Balance orderly energy resource development with protection of the human, marine, and
coastal environments;
 (3) Ensure the public receives a fair and equitable return on the resources of the OCS;
 (4) Preserve and maintain free enterprise competition; and
 (5) Minimize or eliminate conflicts between the exploration, development, and production of
oil and natural gas and the recovery of other resources.

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Subsea Decommissioning and Abandonment

Questions?

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Thank you
nickolas.samford@lr.org (US);
(Brazil):
E: luis.carneiro@lr.org / angela.hayashi@lr.org
T: +00 55 21 3523 0018 / 51
M: +00 55 11 98424 3029

Lloyd’s Register and variants of it are trading names of Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Lloyd’s Register
do Brasil Ltda is a Brazilian limited-liability company and a member of the Lloyd’s Register group
Lloyd's Register do Brasil Ltda is a Brazilian limited-liability company and a subsidiary of Lloyd's Register Group Limited.

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