Offshore staff
ABERDEEN, UK – Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. (TAQA) is progressing decommissioning operations at the Brae complex in the UK central North Sea.
The Brae Bravo platform, first commissioned by Marathon in 1988, is being removed in three phases during 2021 and 2022, using Heerema Marine Contractors’ semisubmersible crane vessels Thialf and Sleipnir.
In April, the two vessels were simultaneously in the field for several days to prepare for and ultimately remove the flare tower, bridge, and jacket. The Thialf is presently at the location completing preparations and module separation ahead of final removal in the summer.
For the second campaign, the Sleipnir will remove the remaining topsides during two trips to the field. At that point the only visible element remaining of Brae Bravo will be the top of the jacket above the sea surface.
A dedicated navigational aid will be placed on the remaining structure with a 500-m (1,640-ft) safety zone in place until jacket decommissioning is completed in 2022.
All waste materials will be transported to the AF Environmental Base in Vats, Norway, for processing: TAQA is targeting 95% recycling or re-use.
Donald Taylor, TAQA managing director for Europe, said: “The Brae Bravo has been an integral part of the Brae fields for more than three decades…This project will involve more than 500 people working offshore on the program during peak decommissioning operations, and we are committed to delivering safe and efficient execution of this milestone.”
05/28/2021
