The UK continental shelf (UKCS) is the largest decommissioning market in the North Sea, with annual decommissioning expenditure in 2016 amounting to £1.2 billion - an annual cost that is set to continue for the next five years. In the coming years, the established infrastructure of many production platforms, seabed structures and pipelines established for the Oil and Gas industry are scheduled to be decommissioned in the North Sea sector as well as in other areas around the world. 

SAMS has engaged with the industry researching fully the environmental effects of project options available, as well as any cumulative impacts and potential trade-offs with other users of the sea.

SAMS Enterprise provide assessment and measurement of marine growth on subsea structures (using ROV video), as well as consultancy around the different options available in dealing with drill cuttings and the pros and cons of removal versus managed abandonment and the creation of artificial reefs for large fabricated structures. We provide marine surveys as well as a scientifically informed consultancy service to ensure practical, viable and environmentally secure operational methods.

SAMS Enterprise also provides the following services to the Decommissioning industry:

• >Marine Growth Assessments (biofouling)
• >Biosecurity (Toxic phytoplankton/invasive species)
• >Environmental Impact Assessment support
• >Marine surveys (bathymetric/benthic/ocean)
• >Laboratory analysis (benthic/seawater)
• >Modelling