Petrodec, a decommissioning services specialist, has completed skidding operations for the topside removal of the Pickerill A unmanned platform in the UK.
The topside, located in the UKCS’ block 48/11 license area and owned by Perenco UK, was removed by the Energy Endeavour (ERDA).
According to Petrodec, the ability to use one vessel, the Energy Endeavour (ERDA), for both plug and abandonment, topside preparation and topside removal operations, as opposed to a drilling rig and heavy lift vessel, is an industry first.
After the plug and abandonment campaign in 2019, Topside preparation, skidding, sea fastening and rig move arrangements were completed on 13 June with the topside arriving safely at Vlissingen harbour in the Netherlands on 15 June. The topside will soon be offloaded for final dismantlement.
Prior to skidding, additional reinforcements were installed, and skid beams laid on the jack-up deck and underneath the topside. During skidding load levels were carefully maintained on all supports while the topside was successfully skidded into position on the jack-up deck.