Repsol Sinopec Resources UK has revealed plans to decommission the Buchan Alpha platform in the North Sea.

The floating oil production vessel ceased production for the final time on 12 May 2017. Over a 36-year lifetime, it has produced nearly 150 million barrels of oil.

The decommissioning contract has now been awarded to Veolia and will be carried out at its Dales Voe site in Lerwick, Shetland.

Bill Dunnett, Managing Director, Repsol Sinopec Resources UK said: "Buchan Alpha has made a huge contribution to the UK economy throughout its life, producing more than three times the volume of oil that was originally predicted. We are pleased the decommissioning phase will create further sustained value for the UK supply chain and additional employment for Shetland, building a new model for full facility decommissioning in the UK.

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"I would also like to pay tribute to the offshore asset team, who have safely and professionally operated this facility up to its planned cessation of operations date and will continue to do so through decommissioning."

Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "Decommissioning is an emerging, but growing, activity, with £17.6 billion expected to be spent in the North Sea over the next decade, as mature fields reach this stage in their project lifecycle.

"We are already seeing Scottish-based firms seizing opportunities, and securing the lion's share of value from a range of decommissioning activities, including project management of decommissioning programmes and high value, well-plugging and abandonment activity."

Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive Vice-President Veolia UK & Ireland said: "We are delighted with the award of the prestigious Buchan Alpha decommissioning contract which reflects our proven safety and environmental track record and our commitment to delivering this project to the highest operational standards.

"We will be targeting a recycling rate of over 98% at the new Dales Voe decommissioning facility in Lerwick where we will work closely with our partners, Peterson and Lerwick Port Authority to boost the local economy by creating 35 jobs and develop strong relationships with the local community."

Repsol Sinopec Resources UK has secured Oil & Gas Authority approval to suspend production of both the Buchan and Hannay fields and is conducting an area strategy review to screen potential field redevelopment options.

(LM)