Decommissioning Insight 2015
7.4.2 Southern North Sea and Irish Sea The forecast for pipeline decommissioning in these regions has increased by nearly 1,000 to 3,430 kilometres since the 2014 report, primarily because of more detailed forecasts for existing projects. The spread of activity is forecast to be relatively high across the decade, as illustrated in Figure 25, although it is not evenly distributed. High activity is forecast in 2020 and 2024 and Oil & Gas UK would expect this to smooth out. This reflects operators’ current best estimates and are not sanctioned decommissioning programmes; a complete list of which can be found on DECC’s Project Pathfinder website 18 . The SNS PILOT Rejuvenation Work Group is looking to maximise recovery of reserves in the region and there is ongoing industry discussion about the proposed decommissioning of some critical infrastructure. Figure 25: Forecast of Pipeline Decommissioning Activity in the Southern North Sea and Irish Sea
1
2
3
4
800
Increased Uncertainty in Forecasts
Trunkline (Diameter >16 inches) Other Pipelines (Diameter <16 inches) Umbilicals
5
700
600
6
500
400
7
300
Total Length (km)
200
8
100
0
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
9
Source: Oil & Gas UK
Number 2015 to 2024
Length (km) 2015 to 2024
Total Expenditure 2015 to 2024
Pipeline decommissioning
3,430
£118million
Umbilicals Trunklines
44 19
350 930
Other pipelines
116
2,150
2020 680 Peak year of pipeline decommissioning activity 46
18 The DECC Pathfinder website can be viewed at https://itportal.decc.gov.uk/pathfinder/decommissioningindex.html
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