Guidance
Oil & Gas: decommissioning of offshore installations & pipelines
Decommissioning programmes, including dates, locations, installations decommissioned, method of decommissioning and close-out reports where available.
Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/oil-and-gas-decommissioning-of-offshore-installations-and-pipelines
Change description : 2025-10-03 08:36:00: A new DP is out for Consultation [Guidance and regulation]
Showing diff : 2025-09-26 07:36:28.646908492 +00:00..2025-10-03 07:36:50.988938950 +00:00
Decommissioning programmes, including dates, locations, installations decommissioned, method of decommissioning and close-out reports where available.
The decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) is controlled through the Petroleum Act 1998.
The responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of the Petroleum Act 1998 are complied with rests with the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) which sits within the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Owners of oil and gas installations and pipelines are required to decommission their offshore infrastructure at the end of a field’s economic life and the 1998 Act requires owners to set out the measures to decommission disused installations and/or pipelines in a decommissioning programme.
A decommissioning programme must identify all the items of equipment, infrastructure and materials that have been installed or drilled and describe the decommissioning solution for each.
OPRED aims to be transparent in its consideration of decommissioning programmes. As a result members of the public, other organisations, non-governmental organisations and other government departments or agencies are invited to comment on the proposals set out in a programme.
Details of the current programmes under consideration are noted in the table below.
OPRED provides guidance on the regulatory requirements for decommissioning. Final guidance on the Environmental Considerations for Decommissioning (Section 12) has now been incorporated into the guidance notes . Please see Updates to Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning Guidance
Financial Assurance Guidance for the Decommissioning of Offshore Oil and Gas Installations and Pipelines.
The guidance outlines how the government assesses the financial capability of persons with a relevant interest in or considering taking an interest in an offshore oil or gas field. For the purposes of satisfying the Secretary of State that that person will be capable of carrying out a decommissioning programme in relation to that interest.
It explains our financial assurance policy and existing processes setting out the steps taken to assess the financial health of offshore oil and gas companies with an interest or potential interest in a field, outlining how and when we may use the statutory powers set out in the Petroleum Act 1998.
If you have any comments or questions relevant to the guidance, please email us at odu@energysecurity.gov.uk.
The aim of this consultation was to formally seek views from stakeholders such as offshore oil and gas operators, companies with an interest in decommissioning offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines, and other interested parties, on the proposal to update the charging regime for activity related to the regulatory functions for the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations.
If you have any questions regarding the proposed changes please direct these to odu@energysecurity.gov.uk.
| Decommissioning Programme | Operator | Main Points of DP | Documents | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leman 27J Jacket and PL207 DP | Perenco UK Limited | Jacket to be removed to shore for recycling and disposal. The riser section and the seabed laid section of PL207 will be removed and returned to shore for recycling. | ||
| Ravenspurn North GCD Topside DP | Perenco UK Limited | Topside to be removed to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal | ||
| Pickerill Alpha and Bravo Riser Sections | Perenco Gas (UK) Limited | Risers to be removed to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal | ||
| GPIII FPSO Sailaway and Disconnection of Risers and Pipelines | NEO Energy Production UK Limited | Full removal of the FPSO, flexible risers, dynamic umbilical and the associated riser buoyancy modules. Partial recovery of mooring chains. | ||
| Gannet A Mast DP | Shell U.K. Limited | Full removal of Gannet A Mast | ||
| Tyne Field Pipelines | Perenco UK Limited | Trenched and buried pipelines and associated protection/stabilisation features to be left in situ. | ||
| Ninian Southern Topsides, Upper Jacket and Associated Riser Sections | CNR International (U.K.) Limited | Full removal of Topsides. The Upper Jacket and Riser Sections will be cut between 77m and 87m below LAT. The Topsides, Upper Jacket and associated Risers will be returned to shore for re-use or recycling. | ||
| Cladhan Subsea Facilities | Taqa Bratani Limited | Subsea installations, surface laid pipelines and umbilicals to be recovered to shore for re-use or recycling. Buried pipelines to be left in situ. Protection/stabilisation features will be recovered to shore. | ||
| Hudson Subsea Facilities | Taqa Bratani Limited | Subsea installations, surface laid pipelines and umbilicals to be recovered to shore for re-use or recycling. Buried pipelines to be left in situ. Protection/stabilisation features will be recovered to shore. | ||
| Kestrel and Falcon Subsea Facilities | Taqa Bratani Limited | Subsea installations, surface laid pipelines and umbilicals to be recovered to shore for re-use or recycling. Buried pipelines to be left in situ. Protection/stabilisation features will be recovered to shore. | ||
| Nelson Derrick Decommissioning Programme | Enterprise Oil Limited | Full removal of Nelson Derrick | ||
| Alba Northern Platform Topsides | Ithaca Oil and Gas Limited | Topsides will be removed and recovered to shore for reuse, recycling or disposal. | ||
| Tern Upper Jacket | TAQA Bratani Limited | The Tern Upper Jacket and pipeline risers will be cut to a depth of approximately 132m below lowest astronomical tide and recovered to shore for recycling or disposal. | ||
| North Cormorant Upper Jacket | TAQA Bratani Limited | The North Cormorant Upper Jacket and pipeline risers will be cut to a depth of approximately 116m below lowest astronomical tide and recovered to shore for recycling or disposal. | ||
| Pierce WI Wells | Enterprise Oil Limited | Full removal of A7z, A13Y, B4 wellheads and A8Z, B3, B4A XTs and wellheads. | ||
| Trees Decommissioning Programmes (Birch, Larch & Sycamore) | Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Limited | Full removal of all surface laid pipelines, exposed stabilisation features and Birch and Larch Manifolds and Sycamore wellhead. Trenched and/or buried pipelines, pipelines in open trenches and stabilisation features within trenches and below seabed will be left in situ. | ||
| Dunlin Alpha | Fairfield Betula Limited | Decommissioning in situ of Dunlin Alpha concrete gravity based structure and storage cells. | ||
| Brae Alpha, Brae Bravo, Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick | Marathon Oil UK LLC | Removal of Brae Alpha and Brae Bravo jackets to the top of the footings. Removal of Central Brae, West Brae and Sedgwick subsea installations. Pipelines to be decommissioned in a variety of ways including removal, trenching and leave in situ. | ||
| Brent | Shell U.K. Limited | Decommissioning in situ of Brent Bravo, Charlie and Delta concrete gravity based structures. | A suite of detailed Technical Documents which support the Decommissioning Programmes documents are available on the Shell Website | |
| Atlantic and Cromarty | BG Global Energy Limited and Hess Limited | Manifold and WHPS to be removed for recycling/disposal. Partial removal of pipelines and remaining section of buried/trenched pipelines to remain in situ. |
| Decommissioning Programme and Approval Date | Operator at approval | Operator following licence / company change | Revision Details and Approval Date | Close out report and Date Accepted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025 | Ithaca Energy (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2025 | Ithaca Oil and Gas Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2025 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2025 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2025 | TotalEnergies E&P North Sea UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| August 2025 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| August 2025 | Chrysaor Resources (Irish Sea) Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2025 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2025 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2025 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2025 | Repsol North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2025 | Repsol North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2025 | Perenco Gas (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2025 | Spirit Energy Resources Limited | - | - | - | |
| May 2025 | Britoil Limited | - | - | - | |
| May 2025 | Wintershall Noordzee B.V. | - | - | - | |
| May 2025 | Eni UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| May 2025 | Energean UK Ltd | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programmes June 2025 | - | |
| April 2025 | Energean UK Ltd | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programmes May 2025 | - | |
| March 2025 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2025 | Premier Oil UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2025 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| October 2024 | Perenco Gas (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2024 | Perenco North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2024 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programmes October 2024 | - | |
| May 2024 | Gassco AS | - | - | July 2025 | |
| May 2024 | CNOOC Petroleum Europe Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2024 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - |
| February 2024 | Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2024 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2024 | Waldorf Petroleum Resources Limited | - | - | - | |
| October 2023 | Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programme September 2024 | - | |
| October 2023 | Taqa Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2023 | Dana Petroleum (E&P) Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programme September 2024 | - | |
| September 2023 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2023 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2023 | Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2023 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2022 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2022 | Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2022 | Premier Oil E&P UK EU Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Hurricane Energy PLC | - | - | - | |
| November 2022 | Eni UK Limited | - | 1. Include mattresses and grout bags into the DP February 2025 | - | |
| September 2022 | Shell UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| August 2022 | ONE-Dyas UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2022 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| May 2022 | Britoil Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2022 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2022 | Spirit Energy North Sea Oil Limited | - | - | July 2025 | |
| April 2022 | NEO Energy (SNS) Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2022 | Alpha Petroleum Resources Limited | Energean UK Ltd | - | - | |
| February 2022 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2022 | Premier Oil UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2021 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| December 2021 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2021 | CNR International (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - |
| August 2021 | Spirit Energy North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| August 2021 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2021 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2021 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2021 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programme August 2021 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2027 and further change to parties to the approved Programme February 2025 | - | |
| May 2021 | A/S Norske Shell | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved decommissioning programme. 2. Change of decommissioning solution for PLU 2784 and PLU 2785 from leave in situ to full removal due to insufficient depth of cover. December 2024 | - | |
| April 2021 | Equinor Energy AS | - | 1. Extend the scope of the DP to include the entire length of PL301 situated within the UKCS. Extend the schedule to 31/12/2029. April 2022 | - | |
| April 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited April 2021 | - | - | - | ||
| March 2021 | INEOS UK SNS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 & Change to decom solution for covering pipeline ends to use rock rather than backfill January 2024 | - | |
| March 2021 | ENI Hewett Limited | - | - | ||
| March 2021 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2021 | Submitted jointly by Qualimar Shipping Company Limited and EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | July 2024 | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| February 2021 | INEOS UK SNS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 & Change to decom solution for covering pipeline ends to use rock rather than backfill January 2024 | - | |
| November 2020 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2020 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2020 | Repsol Sinopec North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2020 | RockRose UKCS8 LLC | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | |
| July 2020 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| July 2020 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2020 | Ithaca Energy UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| June 2020 | Lundin Energy Norway AS | Aker BP ASA | - | March 2024 | |
| June 2020 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | December 2023 | |
| June 2020 | INEOS UK SNS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 August 2022 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 & Change to decom solution for covering pipeline ends to use rock rather than backfill January 2024 | - | |
| May 2020 | CNR International (U.K.) Limited | - | - | May 2021 | |
| May 2020 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | - |
| May 2020 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2020 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2020 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2020 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2020 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2020 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2020 | EnQuest Heather Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2019 | CNR International (U.K.) Limited. Decommissioning Programmes submitted by Teekay Petrojarl Floating Production UK Ltd. | - | - | May 2021 | |
| November 2019 | Chrysaor Production (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2019 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | July 2024 | |
| September 2019 | RockRose Energy UKCS8 LLC | TAQA Bratani Limited | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 January 2022 | April 2024 | |
| September 2019 | Spirit Energy Production UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2019 | Perenco Gas (UK) Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 February 2022 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2027 March 2025 | - | |
| September 2019 | Neptune E&P UKCS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 July 2021 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 April 2025 | - | |
| August 2019 | DNO North Sea (ROGB) Limited | - | 1. Allow for installation of UKNG Viking Cable & Change in decom solution of pipelines to full removal June 2022 2. Include pipeline and fibre optic crossings into DP & Change in decom solution for pipelines remaining under rock berms & additional rock dump on pipeline ends September 2022 3. To alter the S29Holders November 2023 4. Change in decom solution of pipeline sections to leave in situ May 2024 | - | |
| August 2019 | DNO North Sea (ROGB) Limited | - | 1. Allow for installation of UKNG Viking Cable June 2022 2. To alter the S29Holders November 2023 3. Addition of WHPS to DP and its removal & Change in decom solution of exposed pipeline sections to full removal May 2024 | - | |
| August 2019 | Neptune E&P UKCS Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 July 2021 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 April 2025 | - | |
| July 2019 | Fairfield Betula Limited | - | - | February 2021 | |
| CNR International (U.K.) Limited June 2019 | - | - | - | ||
| June 2019 | Apache Beryl I Limited | - | - | September 2022 | |
| May 2019 | Fairfield Betula Limited | - | - | September 2024 | |
| April 2019 | Eni Hewett Limited | ENI UK Limited | - | September 2021 | |
| March 2019 | Perenco Gas (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2019 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2026 August 2023 | - | |
| January 2019 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2019 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2019 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2019 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| January 2019 | Repsol Sinopec Resources UK Limited | - | 1. Terminate agreement for Beatrice AD, AP, B & C reuse July 2019 | - | |
| January 2019 | Spirit Energy Production UK Limited | - | - | - | |
| October 2018 | Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 and change to decom solution August 2023 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2030. December 2024 | - | |
| August 2018 | Marathon Oil UK LLC | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | January 2024 | |
| August 2018 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | - | |
| May 2018 | Premier Oil E&P UK Limited | - | - | February 2019 | |
| April 2018 | Spirit Energy North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2018 | Spirit Energy North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2018 | Spirit Energy North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2018 | Repsol Norge AS | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 November 2019. 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2027 February 2023 | - | |
| February 2018 | Centrica Production Nederland B.V. | Spirit Energy Nederland B.V. | - | July 2021 | |
| December 2017 | Fairfield Fagus Limited | - | - | January 2021 | |
| December 2017 | Fairfield Fagus Limited | - | - | January 2021 | |
| December 2017 | Fairfield Fagus Limited | - | - | January 2021 | |
| November 2017 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2017 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| April 2017 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | March 2019 | |
| March 2017 | Nexen Petroleum U.K Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 July 2020 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2025 (Ettrick Inst only) December 2022 3. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2026 August 2025 | - | |
| February 2017 | Centrica North Sea Limited | - | - | - | |
| September 2016 | Maersk Oil UK Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programmes Affleck PLs only December 2021 | - | |
| September 2016 | Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 and change of parties to the approved Programmes January 2021 | - | |
| September 2016 | ConocoPhillips (U.K.) Limited | - | - | - | |
| March 2016 | Maersk Oil North Sea UK Limited | TotalEnergies E&P UK Limited | - | February 2023 | |
| December 2015 | TAQA Bratani Limited | - | - | June 2017 | |
| November 2015 | Tullow Oil SK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2015 | Tullow Oil SK Limited | - | - | - | |
| November 2015 | Tullow Oil SK Limited | - | - | - | |
| October 2015 | Perenco UK Limited | - | 1. Removal of pipeline from the programme March 2018 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2023 March 2019 3. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 and Change in decom solution of mats to leave in situ. July 2024 | - | |
| October 2015 | Perenco UK Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2022 March 2019 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 September 2022 3. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2027 and Change in decom solution of mats to leave in situ. August 2025 | - | |
| October 2015 | Perenco UK Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2022 March 2019 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 March 2022 3. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2026 April 2025 | - | |
| July 2015 | Shell U.K. Limited | - | - | February 2020 | |
| May 2015 | Centrica Resources Limited | - | - | October 2018 | |
| April 2015 | Centrica North Sea Gas Limited | - | - | February 2019 | |
| August 2014 | CNR | - | - | - | |
| April 2014 | Endeavour Energy UK Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2017 June 2016 2. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2018 November 2017 3. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2020 December 2018 | September 2021 | |
| December 2013 | BP Exploration (Alpha) Limited | - | 1. Schedule Extension to 31/12/2024 December 2018 | - | |
| April 2013 | Britoil Limited | - | - | May 2019 | |
| February 2013 | Hess Limited | - | - | December 2015 | |
| June 2012 | Energy Resource Technology (UK) Limited | - | - | August 2013 | |
| February 2012 | Hess Limited | - | - | December 2014 | |
| May 2011 | Britoil Public Limited Company | - | - | - | |
| September 2010 | Perenco UK Limited | - | - | September 2020 | |
| August 2010 | Silverstone Energy Limited | Bridge Energy UK Limited | - | January 2011 | |
| June 2010 | Premier Oil | - | - | February 2012 | |
| June 2009 | Venture North Sea Oil Limited | - | - | July 2012 | |
| September 2007 | Total E&P UK Limited | - | - | March 2013 | |
| May 2008 | Venture North Sea Oil Limited | - | 1. Change of parties to the approved Programme August 2016 | - | |
| July 2008 | Mobil North Sea LLC | - | - | November 2013 | |
| May 2007 | Shell UK Limited | - | - | December 2014 | |
| February 2006 | Amoco (U.K.) Exploration Company - now a subsidiary of BP plc | - | - | October 2014 | |
| Ardmore 2005 | British American Offshore Limited | - | - | - | |
| Ardmore 2005 | Ugland Nordic Shipping AS | - | - | - | |
| Ardmore 2005 | Acorn Oil & Gas Limited | - | - | - | |
| 2004 | Shell | - | - | May 2025 | |
| Beatrice 2004 | Talisman Energy (UK) Limited | - | - | - | |
| Forbes and Gordon 2003 | BHP Billiton | - | - | May 2005 | |
| May 2003 | Total E&P Norge AS | - | - | May 2011 | |
| Durwood and Dauntless 2002 | Amerada Hess | - | - | - | |
| Hutton 2002 | Kerr McGee | - | - | July 2004 | |
| Camelot CB 2001 | ExxonMobil | - | - | - | |
| Blenheim and Bladon 2000 | Talisman | - | - | - | |
| Durwood and Dauntless 2000 | Amerada Hess | - | - | - | |
| Maureen and Moira 2000 | Phillips | - | - | - | |
| Brent Spar 1998 | Shell | - | - | - | |
| Donan 1998 | BP | - | - | - | |
| Fulmar SALM 1998 | Shell | - | - | - | |
| Emerald 1996 | MSR | - | - | - | |
| Frigg FP 1996 | Elf Norge | TotalFinaElf Norge | - | - | |
| Leman BK 1996 | Shell | - | - | - | |
| Staffa 1996 | Lasmo | - | - | - | |
| Viking AC, AD, AP & FD 1996 | Conoco | - | - | - | |
| Esmond CP & CW 1995 | BHP | - | - | - | |
| Gordon BW 1995 | BHP | - | - | - | |
| Angus 1993 | Amerada Hess | - | - | - | |
| Forbes AW 1993 | Hamilton | BHP | - | - | |
| Argyll, Duncan and Innes 1992 | Hamilton | BHP | - | - | |
| Blair 1992 | Sun Oil | AGIP | - | - | |
| Crawford 1991 | Hamilton Oil | BHP | - | - | |
| Piper Alpha 1988 | Occidental | Talisman | - | - |
During the course of a field’s life, pipelines/sections of pipelines may be taken out of use, e.g. due to corrosion, problems with reservoir pressure, damage to the pipeline, etc. When this happens, under the Petroleum Act 1998 the Secretary of State has the option of immediately calling for a full decommissioning programme. This is not always considered an appropriate option however, and so it has been agreed consideration will be given to handling suitable pipelines, under an informal decommissioning regime, thereby deferring a formal programme until the end of the field’s life.
If a formal decommissioning programme is not immediately deemed suitable, details of the out of use pipeline(s) will be circulated to other government departments for comment. Following this, OPRED will decide one of the following:
The Interim Pipeline Regime is intended to ensure out of use lines do not pose a risk to other users of the sea or the environment and that they are covered by an appropriate surveying and maintenance regime from the point when they are taken out of use until approval of the formal decommissioning programme, which is usually at the end of field life. It should be noted that any interim solution should not prejudice the final decommissioning options for that line, including complete removal. The department expects operators to submit details of out of use pipelines/sections of a pipeline as soon as they are taken out of use.
Operators are reminded that any works that are proposed on any pipelines under the Pipeline Works Authorisation regime, as per their Terms and Conditions of the PWA, must have a legal consent in place before works can commence which includes but is not exclusive to any proposed decommissioning works. Consents are issued by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) and operators are requested to email consents@nstauthority.co.uk on any queries that they may have relating to legal consents. Further guidance can also be found on the NSTA website.
Once the necessary legal consent has been issued by NSTA, Consents & Authorisations Section, Operators are to email a completed to odu@energysecurity.gov.uk.
If you are an operator, aware of any out of use pipelines that have not been referred to the department, please submit a completed IPR1 Form at your earliest convenience.
Following confirmation a pipeline has been accepted under the Interim Pipeline Regime, the Offshore Decommissioning Unit will continue to monitor the condition of the pipeline by asking the Operator to confirm the status of the pipeline remains unchanged following future surveys at an agreed frequency. If you are an operator who wishes to request a change to the agreed frequency of surveys following acceptance of a pipeline into the IPR, please submit a completed to odu@energysecurity.gov.uk. Please note that a recent survey (done that year) must have been completed before any change of survey frequency will be considered.
A list of all installations on the UKCS and their current status is available from the OSPAR Website
At the first ministerial meeting of the Commission for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North East Atlantic (OSPAR) in 1998, a binding decision was agreed that set rules for the disposal of offshore installations at sea. Under the decision the dumping and leaving wholly or partly in place of offshore installations is prohibited. Decision 98/3 recognises it may be difficult to remove the ‘footings’ of large steel jackets weighing more than 10,000 and concrete installations. As a result there are derogations for these categories of installations if the internationally agreed assessment and consultation process shows leaving them in place is justifiable.
OPRED has utilised decommissioning programme templates for derogation and non-derogation projects. These templates include all required content as detailed in Annex C of the guidance notes. There are also templates available which are currently being trialled for more specific and small scale decommissioning activity including rig reactivation and removal of a single Wellhead Protection Structure. Operator’s should discuss all individual cases with OPRED who will advise of the appropriate template.
A is available - (March 2025).
A is also available (November 2018).
A word version of these templates can also be requested from OPRED. Please email odu@energysecurity.gov.uk for further details.
OPRED will charge a fee in respect of offshore (oil and gas) installations and pipelines decommissioning programmes under the Petroleum Act 1998. Guidance, including the indicative fee structure, is available in
A new DP is out for Consultation
DP approval
DP Approval
A DP has been approved
A DP has gone out to public consultation
DP has been approved
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
DP has been approved
Revision to approved DP
A DP added for Consultation
New approved DP
A new DP out to consultation and a DP approved
Addition of new approved DP
New DP out to Consultation
Acceptance of Close out Report
Close Out Report added to the website
New draft DP under consideration
DPs have been approved
Addition of Decommissioning Programme under consideration.
Revision to Approved Programme
A DP has been approved
Decommissioning Programme Approved
A DP has been approved
A revision to a DP date has been added
Approval of DP
Acceptance of Close out Report
DP has been approved
Addition of new DP
Revisions to approved Decommissioning Programmes
Draft DP approved
New approved Decommissioning Programme
Decommissioning Programmes for consultation
Three new DPs have been added to the OPRED website.
A DP Revision approval and Updated non-derogation DP Template
draft decommissioning programme removed
Addition of new draft programmes under consideration and approved decommissioning programme
Revision details added
A new DP is out to consultation.
New draft Decommissioning Programme added
New DPs under consideration added
Addition of new approved DP
Revision details and approval date added
Revision details added
Addition of new draft decommissioning programme
Document names updated for Knarr Gas Pipeline (KGP) and Brent PLU6294
Addition of two draft Decommissioning Programmes and Environmental Appraisals.
Addition of new DP and associated documents
New Decommissioning Programmes added to ODU website
Addition of Approved Decommissioning Programme
Consultation draft DPs added
New Non-Derogation Template added to website
Revision details added
Revision to approved DP
DP has been approved
Approved Close Out Report added
Consultation Draft DP added
New DP added to website
DP out for consultation
Additional information added for LBA DP
Approved Close Out Report added
East Brae UJ DP approved
Acceptance of Close out Report
New Decommissioning Programme added to website for consultation
Solan DP consultation
A new DP is out for consultation
Consultation DP added
Addition of DP revisions to website
Approved Close Out Report added
Approved Decommissioning Programme
Approved DP added
New Decommissioning Programme added to website
A DP has been approved
Change of Operator has occurred in the Wenlock and Garrow Fields
Consultation DP added
Close Out Report added to Website
Approved DP added
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
The Brae Bravo Topsides Close Out Report has been accepted and added to the website.
Acceptance of Close Out Report
Approved Decommissioning Programme
Helvellyn - Waldorf has been moved from "under consideration" to "approved".
Garrow documents added for Public Consultation.
Final draft of Financial Assurance Guidance published
Decommissioning Programme approved
Decommissioning Programme approved
Approved Decommissioning Programme
A DP has been approved
A DP has been approved
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
New DP out to consultation.
ODU email address updated
Decommissioning Programme out to consultation
Consultation DP added
Typo corrected on IPR 1
Addition of new IPR forms for use
Consultation DP added
Consultation DP added
DP approval
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
East Brae UJ DP consultation commenced
Consultation decommissioning programmes added
DP approval
Addition of Western Isles FPSO DP in programme under consideration tab
Close Out Report added
link to guidance update page
Consultation DP added
DPs withdrawn as added in error
Consultation DPs added
DP approval
DP approval
DP approved
DPs have now been approved
lancaster FPSO DP approved
DP approval
Consultation draft DP added
Consultation draft DPs added
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
N11 COR added
Notification of an approved DP
DP approval
Approved DPs published
Brae B upper jacket DP approved
Approved DP
approval of foinaven FPSO DP
response to consultation document for proposed changes to fee charging regime in respect of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines published
DP Approval
Consultation DPs added
Decommissioning programme for consultation
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
New DPs out to consultation
wenlock DP approval re-added appears to have been deleted in error
Consultation DP
Approved DP
Approved DP
DP approval
Draft programme for consultation
DP approval
Consultation DP added
DP approved
Causeway and Fionn DP consultation
DP approval
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
Decommissioning Programmes added for Public Consultation
Acceptance of Close Out Report
DP Consultation
COR accepted
Consultation DP added
ensign DP approved
Consultation DP
markham close out report added
Consultation DP
DP approval
Cost recovery consultation impact assessment added
DP Approval
DP approval
newly approved DP
Decommissioning programme for consultation
Consultation draft DP added
Edited 'Overview' section to publish details of consultation on proposed changes to fee charging regime.
interim CORs added for Banff FPSO and SAL buoy DPS
approval of Gaupe DP
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
DP approved
Adding an approved DP
Consultation DP
DP approved
Approved Decommissioning Programme
Decommissioning Programmes for consultation
DP approved
DP approved
DP approved
COR added
Approved DPs added
Close Out Reports Approved
Adding A Decommissioning Programme which is out to Public Consultation.
Consultation DPs added
Consultation DP added
Consultation DP added
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
Decommissioning Programme Approved
Approval of preparatory works
Consultation DP added
Accepted Close Out Report added
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
Five new DPs out to consultation
A new DP is out to public consultation
draft DP added
Decommissioning Programmes for consultation
Approval of A DP and Derogation
Draft decommissioning programme for consultation
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
document replaced with updated version
Decommissioning Programme Approval
Approved Decommissioning Programme
Consultation DP added
DP has been approved
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
A DP has been added for public consultation
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
Approved DP added
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
approval of Eider topsides DP
A Decommissioning Programme has been approved
consultation DP added
Approval of a DP
Approved DP
Approval of a DP
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
Approved DP
Decommissioning Programme now approved
Consultation DPs
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
CoR added to website
DP approval
Huntington Consultation DP added
New Decommissioning Programmes out to consultation.
New DP out to consultation
New DP out to consultation
Decommissioning Programmes for consultation
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
Approved of Banff SAL Buoy DP
Consultation of Cavendish Decommissioning Programme
MacCulloch DP approved
New approved DP
Consultation of Ensign
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
Approval of South Morecambe DP3/DP4 Decommissioning Programmes
Pickerill installations DP approved
Minke DP approved
Banff SAL buoy DP for consultation
Addition of two approved decommissioning programmes
Added the approved Juliet DP to the website
PL5 approved
NNP approved
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
Consultation of MacCulloch Field Decommissioning Programmes
Revised CAs for Brae A, Brae B and East Brae
Approval of Nevis N11 WHPS Decommissioning Programme
Change of email to a generic one rather than a personal email.
Schiehallion & Loyal Phase One Close Out Report Approved
Approval of the Dunlin Alpha Topsides Decommissioning Programme
Update of the content of the DP
Approval of Hewett Vent Stack DP
consultation closed
Consultation DP and supporting documents for PL5
Minke and Juliet consultation DPs published
Addition of Close Out Report
New Approved Programme
New programme for consultation
Publishing approved Curlew DP
Morecambe DPs published for consultation
Added a CoR
Addition of Close Out Report
Approved DPs for VDP2 and VDP3 added
Addition of approved DPs for Tyne South Installations and Guinevere Installation
Addition of approved decommissioning programme
Approval of a Decommissioning Programme
Addition of Brent Delta Close Out Report
Addition of 2 decommissioning programmes for consultation
Update decommissioning templates added
Guidance document was updated and uploaded
Adding Goldeneye DP for consultation.
Jacky Decommissioning Programmes Approved
Approval of Close out Report
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
VDP2 and VDP3 consultation draft Decommissioning Programmes added
Approval of Brent Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Topsides Decommissioning Programme
Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning Programme out to consultation
Addition of a new decommissioning programme for consultation
Tyne South and Guinevere Installation Decommissioning Programmes published for consultation
Addition of Curlew DPs, CA and EIA for Public Consultation.
Decommissioning Programme Approved
Updated Offshore decommissioning guidance has been added
Ann & Alison, Saturn (Annabel) and Audrey DPs have been approved
Changed document to final version
A decommissioning programme has been approved
Approved Markham DP
Bains Documents Added
Updated Environmental Guidance on Decommissioning
Jacky DP Consultation
Draft Consultation Decommissioning Programme uploaded
Updated guidance for Offshore Decommissioning on website for feedback
Addition of approved DPs
Approved DPs added
Saturn Annabel, Audrey and LDP1 Programmes for public consultation
DPN form corrected
generic email address added and DPN form updated (with generic email address)
Ann and Alison DP's and associated documents added for public consultation
Fairfield Fagus Limited's Dunlin Fuel Gas Import and Power Import, Merlin and Osprey Decommissioning Documents uploaded
Brae Area DPs and associated documents available for consultation
Harding STL Close Out Report added
Disused Pipeline Notification Form revised - 03 May 17
Leman BH Decommissioning Programme approved
Approval of Ettrick and Blackbird DP
Ninian North Platform documents published for public consultation A4 Programme approved
Brent Decommissioning Programmes published for consultation
IVRR Close Out Report added
Ann A4 Installation Decommissioning Programme added for consultation
Approved Decommissioning Programmes added
Atlantic and Cromarty Draft Decommissioning Programmes Consultation
references of DECC amended to BEIS (including DPN form)
Janice, James & Affleck Fields - Draft programmes under consideration (added)
Markham ST-1 Decommissioning Programmes - (added)
Oil & Gas: Update Notification of Disused Pipelines
Oil & Gas: Update Table of draft decommissioning programmes under consideration.
Leadon Decommissioning Programmes - (added)
Notification of Disused Pipelines form - (updated)
Harding STL approved decommissioning programme - (added)
Thames Area - Horne & Wren, Orwell and Wissey approved decommissioning programmes - (added)
Fife, Flora, Fergus, Angus: decommissioning programme FFFA Close Out Report - (added)
Thames Area – Thames Complex, Gawain & Arthur - Approved decommissioning programmes - (added)
Viking Satellites CD,DD,ED,GD,HD draft decommissioning programmes under consideration - (added)
Oil and Gas: Updated document for Harding STL Decommissioning Programme
Oil and Gas: Updated “Table of approved decommissioning programmes” table.
Leman BH draft decommissioning programme - (added)
Oil and Gas: Addition of Brent field to approved decommissioning programme
Oil and gas: Rose approved decommissioning programme - (added)
Decommissioning - Leadon draft programme, follow up consultation - (added)
Oil and gas: Stamford decommissioning programme - (added)
Oil and gas: Rose Field decommissioning programmes - (added)
Oil and gas: Brent – Brent Delta Topside draft decommissioning programme - (added)
Oil and Gas: Addition of Stamford Field to decommissioning programmes table
Oil and Gas: Updated the disused pipeline notification form
Oil and gas: Decommissioning - Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Derogation Cases) - (added)
Oil and gas: NW Hutton close out report - (added)
Oil and gas: Decommissioning draft prgrams - Thames - (added)
Oil and gas: Indefatigable (Shell) close out report - (added)
Oil and gas: Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non-Derogation Cases) - (updated)
Oil and gas: Murchison approved decommissioning programme - (added)
Oil and gas: Rubie & Renee - Approved decommissioning programme - (added)
Oil and gas: Decommisiioning Linhe close out report - (added)
Oil and gas: Streamlined Decommissioning Programme Template (Non Derogation Cases) - updated
Oil and gas: Leadon Draft Decommissioning Programme - added
Oil and gas: Miller decommissioning programme - (added)
Oil and gas: Rubie/Renee Draft Decommissioning Programme - (added)
Camelot close out report - added
Added Murchison draft decommissioning programme
Added streamlined decommissioning programme template
Re-created table, added H2's and anchors
First published.
2025-10-23 09:58
A new DP has been added to the website
2025-10-23 07:56
Acceptance of Close Out Report
2025-10-08 13:35
New approved DP
2025-10-03 08:36
A new DP is out for Consultation
2025-09-26 08:31
DP approval
2025-09-24 15:17
DP Approval
2025-09-18 11:40
A DP has been approved
2025-09-04 07:51
A DP has gone out to public consultation
2025-09-03 13:18
DP has been approved
2025-09-02 15:11
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
2025-09-02 13:13
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
2025-08-18 16:20
DP has been approved
2025-08-14 14:34
Revision to approved DP
2025-08-14 08:01
A DP added for Consultation
2025-07-30 16:17
New approved DP
2025-07-25 06:58
A new DP out to consultation and a DP approved
2025-07-21 10:38
Addition of new approved DP
2025-07-18 08:29
New DP out to Consultation
2025-07-10 08:44
Acceptance of Close out Report
2025-07-02 15:49
Close Out Report added to the website
2025-07-01 09:24
New draft DP under consideration
2025-06-30 07:36
DPs have been approved
2025-06-16 10:07
Addition of Decommissioning Programme under consideration.
2025-06-06 15:29
Revision to Approved Programme
2025-06-02 18:05
A DP has been approved
2025-05-21 09:55
Decommissioning Programme Approved
2025-05-16 13:18
A DP has been approved
2025-05-15 07:51
A revision to a DP date has been added
2025-05-14 10:02
Approval of DP
2025-05-07 08:36
Acceptance of Close out Report
2025-05-07 07:37
DP has been approved
2025-05-01 08:02
Addition of new DP
2025-04-23 13:01
Revisions to approved Decommissioning Programmes
2025-04-14 14:44
Draft DP approved
2025-04-11 15:00
New approved Decommissioning Programme
2025-04-11 10:07
Decommissioning Programmes for consultation
2025-04-04 12:53
Three new DPs have been added to the OPRED website.
2025-03-18 13:38
A DP Revision approval and Updated non-derogation DP Template
2025-03-11 13:52
draft decommissioning programme removed
2025-03-11 11:27
Addition of new draft programmes under consideration and approved decommissioning programme
2025-02-26 14:54
Revision details added
2025-02-21 10:22
A new DP is out to consultation.
2025-01-15 14:12
New draft Decommissioning Programme added
2025-01-10 12:04
New DPs under consideration added
2025-01-07 10:20
Addition of new approved DP
2024-12-19 15:03
Revision details and approval date added
2024-12-16 10:40
Revision details added
2024-12-12 11:41
Addition of new draft decommissioning programme
2024-12-09 16:47
Document names updated for Knarr Gas Pipeline (KGP) and Brent PLU6294
2024-12-06 09:35
Addition of two draft Decommissioning Programmes and Environmental Appraisals.
2024-11-22 10:57
Addition of new DP and associated documents
2024-11-12 07:52
New Decommissioning Programmes added to ODU website
2024-10-23 16:08
Addition of Approved Decommissioning Programme
2024-10-17 08:30
Consultation draft DPs added
2024-10-09 15:32
New Non-Derogation Template added to website
2024-10-03 11:49
Revision details added
2024-09-30 08:32
Revision to approved DP
2024-09-26 16:25
DP has been approved
2024-09-20 08:51
Approved Close Out Report added
2024-09-06 08:35
Consultation Draft DP added
2024-08-30 11:24
New DP added to website
2024-08-23 11:28
DP out for consultation
2024-08-01 15:55
Additional information added for LBA DP
2024-08-01 14:42
Approved Close Out Report added
2024-07-25 08:07
East Brae UJ DP approved
2024-07-22 14:38
Acceptance of Close out Report
2024-07-22 11:20
New Decommissioning Programme added to website for consultation
2024-07-19 09:39
Solan DP consultation
2024-07-08 11:56
A new DP is out for consultation
2024-07-05 09:31
Consultation DP added
2024-07-01 13:45
Addition of DP revisions to website
2024-05-23 16:02
Approved Close Out Report added
2024-05-22 10:42
Approved Decommissioning Programme
2024-05-20 14:45
Approved DP added
2024-04-29 13:33
New Decommissioning Programme added to website
2024-04-26 10:22
A DP has been approved
2024-04-16 16:22
Change of Operator has occurred in the Wenlock and Garrow Fields
2024-04-04 10:14
Consultation DP added
2024-03-11 13:46
Close Out Report added to Website
2024-03-11 08:51
Approved DP added
2024-02-14 11:03
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
2024-01-26 10:26
The Brae Bravo Topsides Close Out Report has been accepted and added to the website.
2024-01-17 08:39
Acceptance of Close Out Report
2024-01-11 13:56
Approved Decommissioning Programme
2024-01-05 14:19
Helvellyn – Waldorf has been moved from “under consideration” to “approved”.
2023-12-14 11:48
Garrow documents added for Public Consultation.
2023-11-29 16:20
Final draft of Financial Assurance Guidance published
2023-10-30 10:33
Decommissioning Programme approved
2023-10-04 12:20
Decommissioning Programme approved
2023-09-29 12:04
Approved Decommissioning Programme
2023-08-17 08:01
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
2023-08-14 15:55
New DP out to consultation.
2023-08-11 10:33
ODU email address updated
2023-07-12 10:57
Decommissioning Programme out to consultation
2023-06-30 10:32
Consultation DP added
2023-06-29 11:47
Typo corrected on IPR 1
2023-06-28 13:29
Addition of new IPR forms for use
2023-06-27 12:47
Consultation DP added
2023-06-20 09:50
Consultation DP added
2023-06-08 12:22
DP approval
2023-05-26 08:21
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
2023-05-12 07:42
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
2023-04-28 08:04
East Brae UJ DP consultation commenced
2023-04-21 08:46
Consultation decommissioning programmes added
2023-03-28 13:44
DP approval
2023-03-03 08:04
Addition of Western Isles FPSO DP in programme under consideration tab
2023-02-10 09:40
Close Out Report added
2023-02-08 09:39
link to guidance update page
2023-02-07 11:32
Consultation DP added
2023-01-20 11:39
DPs withdrawn as added in error
2023-01-20 09:47
Consultation DPs added
2023-01-09 16:17
DP approval
2022-12-14 07:37
DP approval
2022-12-09 11:40
DP approved
2022-11-16 12:02
DPs have now been approved
2022-11-14 11:08
lancaster FPSO DP approved
2022-11-07 11:42
DP approval
2022-10-28 07:53
Consultation draft DP added
2022-10-07 09:14
Consultation draft DPs added
2022-09-30 08:38
Decommissioning Programme for consultation
2022-09-28 09:31
N11 COR added
2022-09-21 12:50
Notification of an approved DP
2022-08-18 09:44
DP approval
2022-07-05 07:21
Approved DPs published
2022-06-07 12:01
Brae B upper jacket DP approved
2022-05-09 12:26
Approved DP
2022-05-06 09:34
approval of foinaven FPSO DP
2022-04-29 13:06
response to consultation document for proposed changes to fee charging regime in respect of offshore oil and gas installations and pipelines published
2022-04-21 11:59
DP Approval
2022-04-21 10:28
Consultation DPs added
2022-04-21 08:51
Decommissioning programme for consultation
2022-04-20 16:40
Approval of Decommissioning Programme
2022-03-07 13:38
New DPs out to consultation
2022-03-03 10:02
wenlock DP approval re-added appears to have been deleted in error
2022-02-25 09:49
Consultation DP
2022-02-23 15:25
Approved DP
2022-02-22 14:31
Approved DP