Dunlin Cluster Decommissioning Programme

The Dunlin Cluster consists of the Dunlin, Osprey and Merlin fields, located on the UK Continental Shelf in the North Sea in offshore Blocks 211/23 and 211/24. Decommissioning is required once an installation has reached the economic end of its life as a production facility. Prior to the cessation of production from the fields, a decommissioning programme for all of the fields will be prepared by Fairfield Energy, together with an associated environmental impact assessment , and will be subjected to consultation and regulatory processes.

The decommissioning requirements for most of the Dunlin Cluster structures will accord with the basic requirement for complete removal of these structures for re-use, recycling or onshore disposal.  The UK has a comprehensive regime controlling the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations which is set out in the Department of Energy and Climate Control (DECC) Guidance Notes, entitled Decommissioning of Offshore Oil and Gas Installations and Pipelines under the Petroleum Act 1998. DECC Guidance follows the performance standard set by the international OSPAR Convention on the decommissioning of offshore structures.  The DECC Guidance can be viewed at www.og.decc.gov.uk/regulation/guidance/decommission.htm

For the Dunlin field, the decommissioning of the Dunlin A concrete gravity base (CGB) platform is the most significant area of decommissioning activity. Several options are being assessed for decommissioning the CGB. The alternative of leaving the CGB structure in place will be considered.

Decommissioning

Decommissioning

Before decommissioning its fields, Fairfield will consult pro-actively with a wide range of stakeholders.
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Dunlin

Dunlin

Fairfield acquired 70% of Dunlin in 2008 and it is now operated in conjunction with duty holder Amec.
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Clipper South

Clipper South

Fairfield holds a 25% interest in the Clipper South Discovery Area with partners RWE DEA UK SNS Ltd as Operator and Bayerngas North Sea Ltd’
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Crawford

Crawford

Fairfield holds 25% interest in the Crawford Oilfield, located in the Central North Sea. It holds almost 200 million barrels of Oil in Place.
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