Dismantling the Maureen platform—an overview

Abstract

Removing, dismantling and recycling the world's largest steel gravity platform has proved that the energy industry can safely and sustainably decommission its vast offshore infrastructure when the oil runs out. Nearly 100% of the 110 000 t Maureen platform and its associated 9000 t loading column was either re-used or recycled—with major structural components being used to build new port facilities and 42 000 t of steel landed ashore for scrapping. This paper reports on the complex and delicate task of cleaning and progressively dismantling the vast structure in a Norwegian fjord. It was the final phase of a £150 million decommissioning project, which has now set a benchmark for over 200 other steel structures currently operating in the British sector of the North Sea.