Decommissioning Strategy

Owners of offshore oil and gas infrastructure, including wells, must fulfil their obligations to decommission in accordance with statutory requirements and remediate the marine environment consistent with government policy.

Decommissioning is costly and will span several decades. It requires careful financial planning from infrastructure owners.

Activity is intensifying in the UKCS and expertise and efficiency are increasing. The UK is well placed to develop world class capability, with the potential to bring significant domestic benefits as well as export opportunities.

The Decommissioning Strategy outlines the priorities to deliver cost efficiently and realise opportunities:

• Planning for decommissioning: Driving cost efficiency through effective late-life stewardship, creating a platform for timely delivery
• Commercial transformation: Improving market efficiency, establishing a competitive and sustainable market
• Supporting energy transition from late life into decommissioning: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from decommissioning and capitalising on opportunities to reuse or re-purpose infrastructure
• Technology, processes and guidance: The development and deployment of technology, appropriate regulatory processes and clear guidance underpin delivery of the Strategy