Marine Growth

Requirements

We conducted a review of the management of marine growth during the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations on the UKCS for the Oil & Gas UK Ltd Joint Industry Project (JIP) on Decommissioning.

During the decommissioning of offshore structures, marine growth constitutes a waste that has to be managed within the environmental legislative framework and the capabilities and capacity of the decommissioning supply chain. 

Solutions

The study provided an overview of marine growth characteristics on offshore structures in the North Sea, and assessed current practice for marine growth management during the decommissioning process.

The study also highlighted where opportunities may exist for new approaches and technologies.

The team at BMT was able to draw on their experience of marine growth studies and decommissioning projects; this was coupled with the experiences of four decommissioning contractors who operate facilities at which most UK and Norwegian decommissioning projects have taken place.

Benefits

The methodology currently used by the industry to access marine growth on offshore structure was developed by BMT.

Using their detailed understanding of the characteristics of marine growth on offshore structures, our specialists can:

• Advise on methods for obtaining quantitative data
• Analyse ROV and diver survey videos
• Assess the composition and percentage cover of the main types of fouling
• Estimate the total added mass that the marine growth represents
• Provide information to enable engineers to understand the depth/ thickness profile marine growth on existing and new offshore structures
• Predict future fouling scenarios
• Support assessment and management of marine growth on offshore structures scheduled for decommissioning