Decommissioning champions of North Sea revealed as award winners announced

The top UKCS decommissioning players have been revealed tonight (Tuesday, November 21) as the OEUK Awards for Excellence in Decommissioning were announced at a gala dinner as part of the annual Decommissioning Conference held in St Andrews.

The awards recognise companies that have performed to an exceptional level within the offshore decommissioning industry. The award criteria can cover any aspect including project execution, design, innovation, HSE, cost performance and contribution to the energy transition.

A total of six entries were shortlisted which recognise operator and supply chain companies that are leading the way in how the UK industry approaches decommissioning projects.

Spirit Energy was named winner in the operator category, sponsored by PDi, and praised for its work on the Morecambe gas fields.

The company is at the forefront of contributing to the energy transition, having identified the future potential of its Morecambe gas fields and having secured the license to repurpose the North and South fields into a world-leading facility.

This will provide a permanent decarbonisation solution for the industry, able to accept up to 1 gigaton of CO₂ in its lifetime – the equivalent of three years’ worth of UK emissions.

Utility ROV Services was announced as the winner of the supply chain category, sponsored by the North Sea Transition Authority, and hailed for making a significant commitment to the North Sea.

The company has invested heavily in next generation tooling to enable a 30% cost reduction when performing subsea infrastructure removal.

Both companies were commended for their excellent work in the decommissioning sector across 2023 respectively.

Commenting on the announcement, OEUK’s Decommissioning Manager Ricky Thomson, said:

“Our awards bring together people who have made a difference in the UK’s offshore decommissioning sector. We would like to congratulate to the winners of these two awards whose work this year demonstrates what the decommissioning sector has to offer.

“We had a fantastic calibre of nominations and finalists, and they are all a real reflection of the great talent and expertise of our energy communities – those that personify the innovation the North Sea decommissioning sector has become known for.

“I am delighted to see this recognition of their accomplishments in decommissioning, all while driving industry toward its net zero goals and transitioning the UK towards a sustainable future.”

The awards were presented by Kirstie Langan from PDi (sponsors of the operator category) and Pauline Innes from the NSTA (sponsors of the supply chain category).

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