Offshore staff
BYGNES,Norway– Gassco has approval to act on its recommendation to remove the B11 compressor platform in the North Sea.
The facility, in the German sector, became operational in 1977. It is connected to the Norpipe gas pipeline that runs from the Ekofisk field in the southern Norwegian sector to Emden on the German coast.
It will be removed because the need for gas compression in Norpipe has declined in recent years. However prior to removal, the pipeline will be re-laid next year to bypass B11.
Once that work has been completed, the platform will be shut down and will be de-manned.
AF Decom Offshore will perform the removal job two to three years after the shutdown. Gassco estimates the cost at $179 million.
The facility will be shipped to Vats north of Stavanger. The aim is to recycle or recover 96-98% of the materials.
B11 is owned by the Gassled joint venture, which Gassco operates. ConocoPhillips is responsible for technical operation of the platform. Statoil will implement the removal project on behalf of Gassco.
12/21/2012
