FOCUS Win Thornton, SPE, Is vice president of decommissioning, slobal projects organization, at BP. Hehas more than 35 years of experience in offshore construction and decommissioning projects working. snoperator for BE, Chevron, and Oxys ‘contractor from Brown & Root and WorleyParsons; anda consultant for Winmar and TST. Thornton holds a BS degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MS degree from the University of Houston. His recent work Includes offshore decommissioning and reuse projects in the Gulf of ‘Mexico, west Africa, California, Alaska, southeast Asia, and South America, Thornton hat the environmentally sound and cost effective disposal of obsolete platforms sugh placement in state-sanctioned Rigs to Reefs" progr member of the PT Editorial Committee, — Recommended additional reading at OnePetro: www.onepetro.org. IPTC 16845 Environmental Liabilities in the Oll and Gas Industry and Life-Cycle Management by Lian Zhao, Integrated Environments, eta. smpioned OTC 24461 Advances in Autonomous Deepwater inspection by 0, McLeod, SPE 161556 Axis of Success: A Unique Professional Plug-and-Abandonment Project ina Populated Town Area, by Hazem Abdelsalam, ADCO, eta 102 DECOMMISSIONING AND ABANDONMENT Industry perceives decommissioning projects as more risky and uncertain than capi- tal projects, Several recent decommissioning projects delivered in an immature mar kKetplace seem to support this view. What can be done to change this perception and ‘enable delivery of safe and cost-effective decommissioning projects? Thave always been a fan of this quote from Irving Fisher: “Risk varies inverse- ly with knowledge.” believe it can provide insight into a strategy that ean improve the detivery of decommissioning projects. What can be done around decommission- ing projects to gather knowledge of the asset to facilitate better planning and delivery and reduce the risk and uncertainty associated with decommissioning? The select ed papers and additional reading listed here illustrate the use of knowledge to plan decommissioning more effectively and to understand the risks associated with select ed end states. The following are afew thoughts on the use of knowledge to reduce tisk and uncertainty in decommissioning: > Decommissioning differs from a capital project in that we know (or think we know) what the asset looks like. The critical uncertainty isthe condition of that asset at end of life. What diagnostic information do we gather routinely over the life cycle that can provide clarity on the condition ofthat asset for decommissioning? Perhaps we need a key performance indicator analogous to front-end loading in capital projects that addresses the quality of our decommissioning and condition knowledge ofthat asset Identify the responsible party in an organization for gathering, distilling, and "using asset knowledge for decommissioning. Asset information comes from various sourees over the life cycle ofthe asset but needs a decommissioning. set of eyes to identify and manage these risks. An analogy could be how \wo typically view and manage regulatory or asset-integrity information. ‘This is an accountability that spans the life cyele ofthe asset through to decommissioning, > When planning the actual decommissioning work, identify and perform diagnostic work in cooperation with the supply chain as part of your market engagement strategy. Itis better to know the condition of what needs plugging and decommissioning than to find out halfway in."The lunknowns become planned work activities instead of risks. This optimally isa ‘cooperative effort between the owner and contractor to identify and manage uncertainties ofthe project, not just a set of contractual terms and conditions Share detailed experience, case studies, and lessons learned through professional forums such as SPE. JPT JPT + JANUARY 2014enuaouo9 yewouuosyaus parsipaad ay Jo ones oyp uo paseq ‘(g1a) 20108 9eduI, “Tequauuosyau aqp Se umouy s1aWH JO ‘asm Aq quouruouyau ayp 01 3s} 50 are ns UE ave|o|e9 ose UeD VINE squaumuosqauo auyseU 943 01 PaRseyPSIP sqeuoiea jo aye axp syxpaud japots ay, spijos Jo 1owamNes pur uorsiadstp Buy {PPOU 20} pasn Japowgns yoeATAeA aU soyeroduoou yoiyen ZaENIS 4g paysgnd GVEA) [aPOW UOUISsIsSe AYO PUR isu paaeyeu-asop aya Jo asn £4 pajapout auam sofieyssip BuyEp yeuBU oyL ypeoiddy ‘qd ay yo ane) a9) Suo| pue uorypuos waseid ay pues apun 0} pas pue paronysues wa9q sey, ad Sunstxo ayn Jo apour e soy sBoprN9 =I[up Jo wopysoduoo ap uo saasnos exep Ensnpuy pue ‘apd sun uosypanyy aip wogj exep Kouns ‘wioseyd ax wos} ‘9peusafiseypstp ay Jo Spudda4 Jo asn Sa -pavenyead-as uaaq seu wladio9} 29uDISIS aad aya pue sso} jo jo aves ayp ZuypaeBan 00% uy apeu! uoWissasse a¥p pue “Fut loz xayanvr + dt AM Je SIBqUIAW ads 0} Bax) S| Jaded aza|dWoD ay} ‘oun; poyuNt| e 404 “pasia}tassoed uo9q 0u soy sadod ays, ud 8F-9F ‘uopuor ‘uop ‘Jouowousoruy ND yx pun 2 op ASH woadouny gas 8107 ay sof paivdoud ‘fonop 247 pun ‘ysouo9 Gas ‘SAKE unas , Suyuoyssjuwoo2a uo sana sSunng-yyua Suouons sof suondo ay» Supepow, ‘egoror sas 4adnd fo snysiqysiy supaues ‘iaruadang siay5 sonpa Sojowypar 1a 6 uadzpam ‘opsns0 SE ‘uoyssjuntuo29p 204 preauoy and urDq 30 ssaoaud ay) UES PY wOSIpUMN aM sjqeameu apesBop 01 ms uy ye] 99 few sopid sun ayy yeu pue parnbas s} vopoe snypany ow req sores onepuowuooas oun ‘sploysenun aVyasO smojaq SomspBraeeyD aney o1 paresisuo aap 2g ueo yey saqid asoup 0g °S95800 -oud ppanyeu 9 apesBap 0132] 34 PIN reip pu ear} mreszpar axp paaoxe 10u pip aqd waspanyy ap ve Suypnppuo odor uonewowayduyy szorepréar ay yo zed se gooe uy uoyssjuntzas ay 03 pan “aquagns sex afd wostypany ay Jo 1u2uL -Ss098e uy “UeDyTUBIS aq pinaD uoRINjod 40 249] 942 ayRaYM auTULIBIAP oa JapIO UL ‘paunseou 9q Aew 9d sfumnno peouonsyye oajqeingume wonnyod jo jax] ayn yay supe sploysann uo sry Supuodsp ‘11d sBuRan>-lwp UostyDINIA 40 MAIAJollo4 pu MOIA UEId—| “B14 ‘op sun Apo yons soy uaugaaquau -aflewewi 8 3no sis S)900z wonepusuuo 3941 UOISSIUNWUOD (4VaSO) NUE 3SeE -4uoN 21p Jo wourwostaug ausreyy ay JO wonpeioig aif 10} woRUaAKO} 2u, aseg wyouf a1 SOTENISNE 2 Bug pur ‘Knioussreg feo0] aya pwe WLIO} -aejd uostypamy a1 yo uoneso| ayy sous 1 tg -pareumueruo>-yo puanbosuod st aoeyd uy Mow ad sono atp pur ‘su ziado panned [euuoU yy au] UE agetd 3Joor Safiseypsip pareuuren09-10 pu pasn aspx sprit pase}0 ‘000% pure 096t uaemiag “aumonuis oypef wore ap yreauag aqid sBupano-pop ® Jo oR, -eui03 aip wy paynsas asey pnuy Susp ue sup yup Jo safzeypsIq -go0z ty Sumpua ‘sozst aun aus play ayp 1 p> aonpuos uooq pey suoneiado Buyaa yeuonewraiy yND Sq pareiado st pue 29$ ION WONOU 94 UE JOVEN JO WH OSE tu paweoo] sj wione|d oss yt uopanpoauy “ueak poupuny eInass 19ye apd axp ona Sune sjarewTyn Buoy oypefujupeuos Woy ouequmsIp pur ayid on Busou 01 pares saBreypsp _ysnypppeg ‘sdcund uorons Bussn paqeos aap ssoaze ajd ayy Busou ay werx9 ‘up so seas jesanas uy posn sean xasooaa paqeas pue ‘uonepesiap ueugmeyuos Fuyppour uoyssodsyp ag Jaa Seopa ‘soqeysou pos “sonueas ping #u1ajonur Suyapoyy “S452 Sunequw wy uonpanp wusy Supraoad “cysts ewuouiuosiaua pur sopsorseaeyD aqudsfumano wy spuan my Bu0] jo vorotpad aan en oye onbiapasSappour ay soouep WF a quawabeuew S6ul}4ND-|]11g 1045 suondo BuljapowiN UA eS A Pita / y Fig, 2—Cuttings pile and jacket base, tion to the predicted no-effect concentra- tion (PEC/PNEC ratio). A species sensitiv- ity distribution is applied to each stressor to identify a PNEC, and PEC/PNEC ratios lewlated for the individual stresso Identified as relatingto drill cuttings (eg toxicity of chemicals and oxygen deple tion). This allows the model to combine and compare the contributions of differ tent stressors to the overall risk, known as the potentially affected fraction (PAF) The level o°5% PAF isa gencrally accept ed risk level, and as sueh, the EIF value is taken as the spatial extent over which the multistressor PAP exceeds 5%. The model has been developed to calculate the dispersion and deposition fn the seabed of drilling mud and cut tings as well asthe dispersion of chem cals in the free-water masses and has been validated in the fleld, The calcula- tions are based on a Lagrangian, or “par. ticle.” approach combined with a near: field plume model and the application of external current fields for time- and depth-resolved currents. Application The data set comprises 4 years of single-point current data (1989-92) for the Murchison location at eight depth bands through the water column. The data set is repeated in the model to pro- duce currents spanning the period from 1980 to 2001. Wind-driven forcing of the sueface currents is nat included in the modeled currents, and the cuttings de position in water depths of 156 m is not Platform North 2A wr expected to be affected by the shallow surface conditions, The model takes into account the thermocline and halocline. (For a detailed discussion of the Murch son mud and cuttings discharges, please see the complete paper.) Oil Composition. A variety of differ: ‘ent oil types have been used throughout the Murchison drilling program. Within each type, there might be several possi- ble formulations. There are no definitive records available to identify what was used, Therefore, assumptions have been made about the general type of oil used on the basis of the years when drilling took place (le. diese-based, low-toxicity oil, and synthetic oil). Each of these ge nerie types is composed of a variety of specific oil components. Typically, these can be categorized into groups with sim- ilar properties, including aliphatic oil benzene and alkylated benzene (ben: zene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX)], naphthalenes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAI Results Re-Creating the Extant Pile Within the Model. Predicted Sedimentation Lev- ls. Predicted deposition thickness of the drill cuttings and drilling mud over an area of approximately 8%8 km around the release point is showin in Fig. 3. This indicates that the majority ofthe cuttings deposits are clase to the discharge point while a smaller proportion distributes lover a wide area to a low thickness. The greatest accumulation of cuttings is be ‘heath and slightly to the southeast of the release point, reflecting the prevalling currents inthe area, il Concentrations in the Sedi ment. Concentrations are predicted at the end ofthe discharge period, and then a number of years subsequently (1, 2, 5,10, and 20 years). Its possible to view teach hydrocarbon type separately in the model, and it caa be seen that overall, after 20 years, the concentrations of oil are still dominated by aliphatic cearbons, which are an order of magni tude higher in concentration than PAHs. ‘The model predicts that BTEX and naph- thalenes degrade relatively quickly, and that hydrocarbons in the thinner areas of deposition degrade much more quickly than those in the deposits of several cen: timeters or more. Mass of Oil Lost From Pile Over Time, The amount of oil loss from the pile (ie., from all the deposition with in an @XB-km area around the dis chatge point) is seen to begin ata rate of 119 ta over the first year after discharg es ceased, dropping rapidly over time to less than 5 t/a at Year 20 and beyond. The high initial rates could reflect the rela tively high biodegradation rates of BTEX and naphthalene and the fact that most oil reduction appeats to take plaee in the thinner areas of deposition, ‘Area of Seabed With an Oil Con centration Above 50 mg/kg. Because a gradually reducing footprint remains on the seabed, the arca multiplied by the du- ration (footprint persistence) will in crease slowly over time. To understand whether this might, at some point in the future, reach the OSPAR criterion, the trend was translated into a power rela- tionship with time and then predicted into the future. It was calculated that the forecast of footprintxpersistence over time would not the 500 km?xyears criterion, even project- ing over thousands of years. Environmental Risktothe Seabed. ‘The modeling predicts that, at the end of the simulation (Le., the end of 2019), areas where the risk is greater than 5% are predicted to be contained within ap proximately 1 to 2 km of the well. Over all environmental risk is predicted to be dominated by PAH content, reflect. ing its modeled persi rd. exceed mnce and toxic- JPT JANUARY 2014,bal anageo ee sexanarepsdiy pruncimanscnees | tal oy ies an tb eae pa GeO tog or stony ater oe | singe! niga oy BLY pry Re senor of nl tony aan aces "ee Ge Lp ot fff slay, MDH Pateoar logo an eget PEED EL EOS PE CTeCTPc) RCE ery Lar suopppuoosurkyopun ayy ona8uey> yueoymlis v auasaidas you aS asoy -suorp pur woneuneUeD jeo}sorsiy sure, 2 yeyp eae 242 9g 07 AME Ostet SIG, aiid sBumino ain jo w oo ua sieoK 0% wey} axowr 40} as}s4ad 01 porozpasd s} ‘uoneuNeU0D Jo wore EWS ¥ “eK F A] areuxoidde soye wi 008 urls o1 au sao Supnpau ‘oweuaos apsussad 3sour 240 wad sBunyn9 ax woxy wy t on da Airey ano90 03 parypard axe %S Jo [Pao] © anoge paqeas aun 0) sya “iouno {pee Jo 4e9K T une asdeyjo said emmy ons aya je Yorn uy oyeUads e soy ‘Sous YO. YstUTUN sIpyded sossauyoyys,"quiod 9zeypsip ayy jo wi oF ‘ungnym 3n290 01 poroypaud sy yTyM Buy trey Sond axa Te 0g was S2z pur ‘oanyey aud offus © woy ww S¢ Kjareureasd ce sea uorsodap jo ssauyaqip yeod ay, auprey Aigeaapysuoa jaaen qh siuauod troo zauy ayyon ‘ytd sBunanoa¢p yo uy ‘unpun aysodap 0} paripasd sem ferian ‘Bw papuodsnsos jo Ayiofeut aus, sioaye fenunod 201 Jo wonewnso apmyuseusjo-sapr0 ue 01 peat 01 parsodio sei uayer yseoudde AU tunjo> soreM ayy owuy woNDa!E pu qd ayp yo wwawanow peoqueysous ov pa Auanuod st apd Saye ayp Jo ABuoua ay se sBunnno jo wwauasejds1p ayp fopo 01 UayeLapun sem So}UeYDAUL [os Uf as|D10 -X9 puooas y “wunos9e or Beap Supyer ‘aud summa axp soyins se apd Sumrey © Jo Sypojaa oup axwnoye> o uoxeHapuN Se SoUeYDOUE prny Uy asiou9K9 Uy ‘an sian Aq popes op pu pazayream Apueoyuiisaq pina Seaypsuroyn sSupno ay "sores woyso3s09 porpodxo tangs ‘oun rea paspuny yea -a98 un uaddey pjnoo yen Sunpawos st asdeqjoo sig “ms ut yo} 2q apd sun aun pur sojd jeamanins axp yioq pinoys 85] xaypef yee punosans yeep sapid eam ans ayn Jo asdeyjoo arewnN axa q pases wopeld uosiysnyy 2x2 mojaq atid sBunino Suns}xa ayp jo aoueqamasip JO sooo aun ouruTEXD 0} vayerapun sei astoraxo Sumyapow aayuany y -upeuras ews unooy wrpef axp Fuquoyssyunsu0s ap Supmp uax2 ep ssyK9 AqNaHSSOd AUL “S9Hd feamMonng ay: Jo asdeyjoy “aanpasoad sip yumm parepposse Kiujer aot ay 39} 3uNoaDe 0} pajapour sem. ssuedsou 310M pu sop pyjositaxem jo loz xawnne «160 Buea & “asayy jo ypea soy pure “padwnd Bu s1 ond ayp ypiqm 01 suone09t Jo equa 947 02 uonejas uy payopout aude suowfas Bujdund ony -slumno pn -poseqaavem pu ajoydenjeursii0 ayy ut uasaidoa J9%e] worog e pue ‘109 so apesfapun Ajagnejas e ‘aoepms ayy uo Phu papesfap jo siokey wpe ayy usaa -8q oRDUNSIP ¥ puF Yo atp Jo uonepes fap Jo aasfiap w yams parapout said ay ‘oueuads siya uy “uopieyd ayp jo soqua> atp wo w oz payeso] paqeos ap uo ware eon wiope|d wosnysinyy stp ojoq wos} sBumnno jjup Surdund yo spay axa pour exa asjosox9 Buypow puoaos y “apypel amp 01 ssa008 oye 02 aqid po jeaowsay ays uo qwaSunUoD are sonss} Suyuorssputiosop-r9yeF yeaa ‘spype[ amp Jo ued saanosqo ajd sSiamno aun osneag “aya sSumng ayp Suysory ‘afueyp oas-upes® pue ‘ssauyonys etang ‘spew Avo Soypapuy sueogr ts ss9] yon aq 0} paoqpaud axe sion 38) saINO “UasoId [Yo aqqepesBoporq jo Suonenuasuon ayn Sunsoyou SueDynis ose St (uonextuaDu09 apyns ut aseox0ur |epuanbasuos pue) uopajdop wa8xo ‘ld s6uRano Bunsrx9 ous jo Waxed UoR|sodop porDipeld—f ‘614 vouo0 loomi009, wooo, uu “sou u jupes rT