Preparing for Decommissioning of the Heather Field

Abstract This paper presents some of the issues which have influenced the decommissioning planning for the Heather Field facilities. The paper is based on the results of conceptual and pre-engineering work performed to date, and covers the following: –brief background on the Heather Field development and production history, field facilities, and achievements in extending field life to date,–considerations and constraints which have shaped Unocal's approach to the planning of the Heather Field decommissioning project, and–discussion of the stages to be undertaken in performing the decommissioning of the field facilities, concepts and options which exists for these stages, and operational and technical considerations applicable to each stage. The stages addressed include engineering and planning, well plugging and abandonment, topside systems cleaning and preparation for removal, pipelines decommissioning, topside facilities removal and disposal, and platform structure removal and disposal.