Scotland Could Benefit from Decommissioning, New Study Shows

A new study into decommissioning opportunities in the oil and gas sector has been published on Monday.

Energy ports and supply chain companies across Scotland are expected to benefit from the study, Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE) said.

The study focuses primarily on oil and gas floating assets including FPSO platforms, MODUs and semi-submersible platforms, which could present a niche decommissioning opportunity for Scottish sites.

It was commissioned by Highlands and Island Enterprise (HIE), Scottish Enterprise (SE) and Scottish Government through the government’s Decommissioning Challenge Fund (DCF) and it was carried out by Westwood Energy Group.

Outlined within the study is the potential size and outlook of the decommissioning market, onshore disposal site requirements, decommissioning processes for floating assets and opportunities that exist for the Scottish supply chain.

Gavin MacKay, head of energy industries at HIE, said: “In Scotland we have some world class facilities in our ports and harbours, coupled with significant decommissioning capabilities in the supporting supply chain.

“This report highlights very effectively the sizeable market which exists in the decommissioning of oil and gas floating structures and OSVs. It also illustrates the pipeline of potential projects that could come to Scottish sites.

“As such the report will be used to promote early engagement between the floating asset owners and suitable sites in Scotland that could accommodate their ultimate decommissioning.”