Morecambe Bay (DP3 and DP4) Removals

Removal of two 11,000-tonne disused gas production platforms and connected subsea infrastructure from the Irish Sea and transport to disposal yard in East Scotland for recycling.

Company : Spirit Energy

Project : Morecambe Bay (DP3 & DP4) Removals

Location : Irish Sea, 22 km west of Blackpool

First platform removal job outside the North Sea

Water renowned for high tidal currents

Reduced sea state for topsides removal due to shallow water

Scope of work

Engineering, preparation, removal & disposal of 7000-tonne DP3 & DP4 topsides (2021)
Engineering, preparation, removal & disposal of 4500-tonne DP3 & DP4 jackets (2023)
Design, fabrication & installation of lifting aids (horseshoes), reinforcements, lift points, grillage & sea-fastening
Platform preparations (incl. cutting & removal of risers, caissons & conductors, cutting of platform legs & strengthening of topsides)
Removal & disposal of subsea infrastructure (mattresses, spools, cables, umbilicals & anti-scour frames)

First-time direct transfer of jackets in offshore environment from Pioneering Spirit to Iron Lady

Removal by Oceanic of >1000 tonnes of subsea infrastructure

Specials & challenges

First platform removal job outside the North Sea
Extensive subsea scope (approx. 180 separate lifts), incl. first-time cutting of skirt piles using specialist ROV equipment
High tidal currents
Reduced sea state for topsides removal due to shallow water (22 m)
First-time direct transfer of jackets in offshore environment (Irish Sea) from Pioneering Spirit to Iron Lady
Removal of jackets in tandem

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