Marine Masters Completes Decommissioning Project in Malaysia
Marine Masters, a Dutch company specializing in salvage, transport & installation, and decommissioning solutions, recently wrapped up a significant decommissioning assignment in Malaysia. The project involved repurposing oil field infrastructure that had reached the end of its service life as part of a rig-to-reef initiative off the coast of Malaysia.
Hibiscus Petroleum, an independent oil and gas exploration and production company based in Malaysia, enlisted the services of T7 Global in 2023 for the decommissioning project at the South Angsi field in Peninsular Malaysia. The project focused on dismantling the South Angsi Alpha (SAA) facilities, which included a process platform and an FSO Angsi vessel, both installed in 2005 at a water depth of 75 meters.
Following the cessation of production in September 2019, Marine Masters successfully completed the offshore scope of the decommissioning campaign. This milestone project involved repurposing retired offshore infrastructure, with the platform’s substructure now serving as part of Malaysia’s largest rig-to-reef project.
Key Achievements of the Decommissioning Project
The decommissioning of the South Angsi Alpha platform marked a significant accomplishment in Malaysia’s offshore industry. The project involved innovative solutions and meticulous planning to ensure the safe and environmentally friendly disposal of the infrastructure.
Marine Masters was responsible for the removal of the MOAB using a reversed installation method, as well as the recovery of conductors, retrieval of support legs, and cutting and transport of the wellhead access platform. Specialized techniques and procedures were developed for underwater cutting and efficient personnel transfer between work barges.
As the project progressed, the MOAB topside was skidded to shore at Labuan shipyard for further processing, while loose items were offloaded. The successful demobilization of equipment signified the completion of Marine Masters’ active offshore operations on the project.
Continued Environmental Impact and Sustainability Efforts
While the offshore scope of the project has been completed, the final handling and disposal of the topside components are ongoing. The South Angsi Alpha decommissioning campaign serves as a model for responsible offshore retirement, aligning with efforts to preserve biodiversity, enhance marine ecosystems, and promote sustainable practices in the region.
Danny Spaans, Founder & Director of Marine Masters, expressed satisfaction with the project’s outcome, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and expertise in executing complex decommissioning projects efficiently and safely.