Shell, Reliance, ONGC Complete India’s First Offshore Facilities Decommissioning Project

In a landmark achievement for India's energy sector, the Panna-Mukta and Tapti (PMT) joint venture partners - Shell (through BGEPIL), Reliance Industries, and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) have successfully completed the country's first offshore facilities decommissioning project with the safe removal of mid and south Tapti field facilities.

Offshore decommissioning is a complex endeavour, often involving evolving regulations, developing contractor ecosystems, and fluctuating market dynamics.

The PMT JV, operator of the Tapti fields under a production sharing contract with the Government of India, comprises ONGC with a 40 per cent participating interest, and RIL and BG Exploration and Production India Ltd (BGEPIL-Shell) with 30 per cent each.

The milestone project involved removal of five wellhead platforms, associated infield pipelines, load-in at the onshore dismantling yard and the safe plugging and abandonment of 38 wells all executed in line with the approved decommissioning plan, the joint statement noted.

Production from the Tapti fields ceased in March 2016, and this project demonstrates a high level of planning, coordination, and compliance with regulatory frameworks while upholding the highest safety and environmental standards.

Aligned with the Government of India's 'Make in India' vision, the PMT JV awarded major contracts to Indian companies Larsen and Toubro (L&T) for offshore execution and Chowgule Shipyard (CLSPL) for onshore dismantling.