ProSafe and Global Maritime have developed a new concept for platform decommissioning

ProSafe and the engineering company Global Maritime have developed a new concept for removal of installations offshore. The concept that is based on the use of semi-submersible service rigs, is expected to be certified within the next 6 months period. The concept will then have been completely designed and engineered, so that construction can start immediately in the event of a contract award.

The companies expect that such a newbuild will cost approximately NOK 400 million in addition to the value of the accommodation- and service rig. Based on low investment requirement and flexible application, the companies believe that the concept will be competitive compared to other currently know concepts for decommissioning of offshore installations.

ProSafe believes that the market for decommissioning of offshore installations is growing, and wants through this venture to position itself for any platform decommissioning contracts on Ekofisk, Frøy and Frigg, and also internationally and particularly in the UK sector.

The new concept must further be viewed in light of ProSafes strategy to increase the flexibility of the company’s accommodation- and service rigs in the North Sea. A rig, that may be used for the purpose of platform decommissioning, will retain its capacity to also serve contracts in the traditional accommodation market.

ProSafe ASA, an integrated offshore supplier, is the worlds leading operator of accommodation / service vessels owning 6 out of 8 units world-wide. The company is also the largest contractor within the platform drilling segment on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and has further substantial engineering and fabrication resources through the subsidiary companies Procon Engineering AS and Consafe Engineering Ltd. The company is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange with ticker code PRS.

Global Maritime is an international engineering company that also maintains a substantial marine competence. The company has previously completed the engineering work for the decommissioning of North East Frigg as well as the engineering related to the dismantling of the Brent Spar platform.