Decommissioning in the Gulf of Mexico Continues to Rise

With approximately 2,996 production platforms (distinguished fromdrilling rigs) on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), BSEE recordsindicate that 813 platforms currently fit the criteria of idle iron or arenon-producing in this region.

With such a huge number of platforms for the industry to decommission,it is more important than ever to share best practice approaches, newtechnological breakthroughs and project case studies to ensure that allprojects are completed on time and on budget.

In October 2010, the Idle Iron NTL came into effect creating a huge boost in decommissioning projects in the Gulf of Mexico. This increase in offshore decommissioning is continuing to accelerate with more and more platforms being removed in the region year after year.

In a decommissioning market valued at $30bn-$40bn, this spike presents a vast opportunity for service providers in the Gulf of Mexico. On the flip side, heightened regulatory burden, combined with new technical challenges and increased risks will place heavy demands on both operators and contractors.

To address these issues, leading Gulf of Mexico major & independent operators, Apache, BP, Shell, Taylor Energy, Stone Energy, Chevron, Enbridge Energy and more will meet at DecomWorld’s5th Annual Decommissioning & Abandonment Summit, Gulf of Mexico in Houston, March 19-212013, to evaluate decommissioning approaches to improve efficiencies and cut costs whilst reducing offshore liabilities.

Alongside them, leading contractors includingBaker Hughes and Express Energy Services will be presenting best-in-class; cost-effective decommissioning solutions and up-to-date case studies that will ensure operators can meet compliance challenges safely and efficiently.

With industry support from partners including the American Salvage Association and The Society for Underwater Technology, this year’s conference and exhibition will cover all of the key challenges surrounding decommissioning for the offshore industry.

The Decommissioning & Abandonment Summit will take place on March 19-21 in Houston, TX. Over 800 senior offshore industry experts will gather to discuss the future of offshore decommissioning activities in the Gulf of Mexico as well as reflecting on the projects that took place in 2012.

If you’re involved in this industry you can’t afford to stay away – DecomWorld’sHead of Sector, Dean Murphy, commented, “This is the event to attend for those serious about offshore decommissioning. The D&A Summit has grown year on year with more operator companies in attendance than ever before. This reflects the growth of decommissioning in the Gulf of Mexico and the challenges that still lie ahead’. Dean continued to say, ‘the decommissioning stage of offshore operations is crucial for operators. They must continue to align themselves with government regulations, harness the latest technology and partner with the real innovators in the market to ensure costs are kept down whilst ensuring continued safety’.

To view the conference brochure, go to http://www.decomworld.com/decommissioning/conference-event-brochure.php

Contact

Dean Murphy, Head of Sector, DecomWorld:

Tel: +44 (0) 207 375 7204

Email: dmurphy@decomworld.com