An Engineering-Based Methodology to Assess Alternative Options for Reusing Decommissioned Offshore Platforms

Abstract

In the current context of the energy transition, the reuse of offshore oil and gas (O&G) structures that have reached the end of their operational life presents new engineering challenges. Many projects aim to adapt existing facilities for a range of alternative uses. This paper outlines guidelines for identifying the most suitable conversion options aligned with the goals of the ongoing energy transition, focusing on the Italian offshore area. The study promotes the reuse—instead of partial or full removal—of existing offshore platforms originally built for the exploitation of hydrocarbon reservoirs. From an engineering perspective, the project describes the development of guidelines based on an innovative methodology to identify new uses for both offshore oil and gas platforms and the depleted reservoirs, with a focus on safety and environmental impact. The guidelines identify the most suitable and effective conversion option for the platform–reservoir system under consideration. To ensure a realistic approach, the developed methodology allows one to identify the preferable conversion option even when some piece of information is missing or incomplete, as often happens in the early stages of a feasibility study. The screening process provides an associated level of uncertainty related to the degree of data incompleteness. The outcome is a complete evaluation procedure divided into five phases: definition of criteria; assignment of an importance scale to determine how critical each criterion is; connection of indices and weights to each criterion; and analysis of the relationships between them. The guidelines are implemented in a software tool that supports and simplifies the decision-making process. The results are very promising. The developed methodology and the related guidelines applied to a case study have proven to be an effective decision-support for analysts. The study shows that it is possible to identify the most suitable conversion option from a technical, engineering, and operational point of view while also considering its environmental impact and safety implications.

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