Morecambe Bay (DP3 and DP4) Removals

Platform decommissioning
Oceanic
Pioneering Spirit
2023 Morecambe Bay

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 and DP4) Removals 

Location : Irish Sea, 22 km west of Blackpool 

22 m

Water depth 

Removal : 2023 (jackets), 2021 (topsides) 

Scope of work 

  • Engineering, preparation, removal & disposal of 7000-tonne DP3 & DP4 topsides (2021) 
  • Engineering, preparation, removal & disposal of 4600-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) 

7000-tonne 

DP3 & DP4 topsides (2021) 

4600-tonne 

DP3 & DP4 jackets (2023) 

2023 Morecambe Bay

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 
2023 Morecambe Bay
2023 Morecambe Bay
2023 Morecambe Bay
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