Shell U.K. Ltd has taken the decision to remove the Goldeneye platform and all of its associated subsea infrastructures subject to Regulator’s approval.

Goldeneye is located in the Central North Sea, in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, approximately 100 km north east of the Aberdeenshire coast, Scotland, and was operational as a gas producing field from 2004. It is a wellhead platform, with a 1,400 tonnes topside, 5 platform wells in 120m water, with a direct tie-back to the St Fergus onshore facility. Cessation of Production was granted in March 2011. The topside processing facilities have been depressurised, the pipeline has been flushed and filled with inhibited sea water, and the wells have been plugged and made safe.

The now non-producing Normally Unattended Installation (NUI) and associated infrastructure have been preserved and maintained as a NUI. This is managed under a revised Safety Case which ensures all critical safety systems are maintained, and the integrity of the platform preserved.

Decommissioning Programme

Shell U.K. Limited has submitted a draft Decommissioning Programme (DP) for Goldeneye to the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

In accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Act 1998 for the consideration of the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, it is a requirement of the Act that interested parties be consulted on such decommissioning proposals.