The Client had three structures in OCS waters in the Gulf of Mexico that supported a total of 5 wells.  These five wells were depleted to the point where they had reached the end of their production life and were shut-in.  The Minerals Management Service (MMS) regulations required such structures to have their wells plugged; their pipelines, facilities and structures to be decommissioned and removed; and the site to be restored to a near original condition.















Fairwinds was asked by the client to plan, coordinate and supervise all decommissioning activities including pipeline abandonment.  This also included coordination with the National Marine Fisheries for "Turtle Watch”, Post Removal Underwater Hazards Survey (Trawl) and other associated activities as part of the structural removal process.   As part of the permitting process, Fairwinds prepared, submitted and obtained Pipeline Abandonment and Structural Removal permits  including structural removal by explosive cutting.  Fairwinds also assisted the Operator with the well Plug and Abandonment (P & A) Permit applications.  Additionally, Fairwinds’ development of abandoned well profile(s) for implementation by the Operator’s Drilling personnel and decommissioning procedures for production equipment and pipelines were critical to the project’s success.



Results:  Fairwinds was able to plan, coordinate and supervise all phases of the decommissioning and removal of the structures and abandonment of the pipelines.   By bringing together Drilling and Completion; Structural Design; Production; Operations; and Project Management Specialists, Fairwinds was able to facilitate the timely and cost effective abandonment of these facilities.   Additionally, all well and pipeline abandonment's and structure removals were completed in compliance with regulatory guidelines and with environmental sensitivity.




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