The Client had an inventory of what the Minerals Management Service considers "Idle Iron” or structures and pipelines that were candidates for Plugging and Abandonment (P&A) / Removal because either the wells have become uneconomical to produce, or the facilities themselves have no future economic value to support additional production activities within the lease.

















Fairwinds International was asked by the Client to plan and manage their platform removal program for 8 such structures which included 6 caissons, two 4-pile platforms and associated pipelines.  Costs to remove smaller structures by utilization of a typical derrick barge spread are too expensive.  Additionally, operations were to be performed during December / January when weather delays are common and seas are generally rougher. 

Fairwinds recommended a removal option that took advantage of readily available equipment such as a 175’ Liftboat w/ 100 Ton crane, Utility Boats, DP Supply Boats, and a combination of Hydraulic Shears and Inside / Outside H/P Abrasive Cutters.  Although both 4-pile structures were identical in design and weight,  a large amount of debris was encountered below the mud line on one structure.   Hydraulic shears were employed for the primary "non-explosive” cutting option because the platform legs and piles were grouted.  A lift boat was then used to remove the decks and jackets.  Divers then removed the debris by hand.  

















Results: Utilizing the mix of readily available equipment, divers and construction crews were able to economically remove (6) caisson structures and (2) 4-pile structures from water depths of 65’ to 75’ in the West Cameron and Ship Shoal shelf areas of the Gulf of Mexico.  Using this mix of equipment  allowed for faster permit approval and also lowered the cost of removal operations.  Weather delays were minimized by not utilizing a derrick barge.





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