the Rough 47/8A platforms and infrastructure are located in the southern North Sea. The platform and infrastructure of Centrica include two bridge linked platforms currently shut ahead of decommissioning.
Under the initial decommissioning contract, Babcock is expected to provide all aspects of governance and compliance before the decommissioning operations begin. The project phase is expected to take up to one year of time.
Babcock Energy and Marine Technology managing director Ian Lindsay said: “Babcock is delighted to support Centrica as its Rough infrastructure nears decommissioning.
“With our expertise in project delivery reinforced by our experience across the decommissioning sector – including all aspects of verification, compliance and governance – we are trusted to deliver. We look forward to working together in this new collaboration.”
Centrica Storage managing director Greg McKenna said: “With 47/8A now shut in and no longer operational, this is the right time for us to decommission and remove the two bridge-linked platforms and associated infrastructure.
“We look forward to working closely with Babcock as we ensure the planning is in place ahead of decommissioning Rough safely and in an environmentally responsible way.”
As per UK’s Oil & Gas authority’s estimation, the decommissioning of the North Sea infrastructure can cost up to £59.7bn. And it challenged the industry to complete the task under a cost of £39bn, stating that ‘significant change’ would be needed if the lower cost figure is to be achieved.
This June, Centrica stated that it has completed a review of its Rough platforms and said that the facilities are at the end of their design life. It will not be able to safely return the assets and facilities to injection and storage operations.
