KEM-33 Review, evaluation of Brent Spar decommissioning plan and second opinions

SodM has received via the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management the decommissioning plan of Shell and the German critical report. Considering the sensitivities in the North Sea, SodM seeks to have these externally reviewed prior to advising the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management on the safety and environmental issues surrounding this project.

The objective is to obtain an independent, scientific review and evaluation of the Brent decommissioning plan and related reports of Shell in relation to the critical German report on the issue. The review and evaluation are meant to support the decision process in the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW) to come to a Dutch view on the intention of the UK government to give permission to Shell to decommission the –end of life - production platforms Brent Bravo, Charlie en Delta in the British economic zone of the North Sea. This view has been requested under the OSPAR treaty.

RESEARCH REQUEST FULL TEXT

The evaluation team has considered various factors (in particular technical feasibility, environmental impacts, and uncertainties) and have recommended the removal of much of the installations (see the report for details) and cleaning up the remaining material. Factors such as cost and personnel safety are seen as internal to Shell and the most important criterion is to avoid passing on potential problems to future generations. Intermediate alternatives have been suggested too.

RESEARCH PROJECT FINAL REPORT

The KEM-33 final report has been evaluated by the KEM panel. They evaluation was considered to be of good quality. The KEM interpretation of the results was to accept the recommendations and advice given by the Independent Evaluation Team.

RESEARCH PROJEC EVALUATION

These recommendations have been taken over by the Dutch Government. See also the message on the SodM website.