Lancaster Field

FPSO Decommissioning Programme

October 2022

HUR-GLA-ASM-REP-0001-1

Produced By: Oliver John

October 2022 HUR-GLA-ASM-REP-0001-1 1 of 37

Lancaster Field FPSO Decommissioning Programme

Amendment Record
Revision Date Description Author Checked Approved
A0 26 August 2021 Internal Review OJ FS SH

A1 28 September 2021 Draft for OPRED comment OJ FS SH

A2 13 October 2021 Updated with OPRED comments OJ FS SH

A3 16 March 2022 Issued for Statutory Consultation OJ FS SH

0 03 August 2022 Post consultation final submission OJ FS SH

1 28 October 2022 Final submission for approval OJ FS SH

Holds

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INST P/L

Contents
Tables and Figures ........................................................................................................................ 4 ✓
Terms and Abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 5 ✓
Appendices ................................................................................................................................... 6 ✓
1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 7 ✓
1.1. Decommissioning Programme ................................................................................................. 7 ✓
1.2. Requirement for Decommissioning Programme ..................................................................... 7 ✓
1.3. Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 7 ✓
1.4. Overview of Installation being Decommissioned .................................................................... 8 ✓
1.5. Summary of Proposed Decommissioning Programme ............................................................ 9 ✓
1.6. Field Location including Field Layout and Adjacent Facilities ................................................ 10 ✓
1.7. Industrial Implications ........................................................................................................... 11 ✓
2. Description of Items to be Decommissioned......................................................................... 12 ✓
2.1. Installation – Surface Facility ................................................................................................. 12 ✓
2.2. Wells ...................................................................................................................................... 12
2.3. Inventory Estimates ............................................................................................................... 12 ✓
3. Removal and Disposal Methods ........................................................................................... 14 ✓
3.1. Surface Facility (FPSO) ........................................................................................................... 14 ✓
3.2. Waste Streams ....................................................................................................................... 17 ✓
4. Environmental Appraisal Overview ...................................................................................... 18 ✓
4.1. Environmental Sensitivities.................................................................................................... 18 ✓
4.2. Potential Environmental Impacts and their Management .................................................... 20 ✓
5. Interested Party Consultations ............................................................................................. 21
6. Programme Management .................................................................................................... 23 ✓
6.1. Project Management and Verification................................................................................... 23 ✓
6.2. Post Decommissioning Debris Clearance and Verification .................................................... 23 ✓
6.3. Schedule ................................................................................................................................. 23 ✓
6.4. Costs ....................................................................................................................................... 24
6.5. Close Out ................................................................................................................................ 24
6.6. Post Decommissioning Monitoring and Evaluation ............................................................... 24 ✓
7. Supporting Documents ........................................................................................................ 25
Appendix 1 Partner Letter(s) of Support ...................................................................................... 26
Appendix 2 Public Notices ........................................................................................................... 28
Appendix 3 Statutory Consultee Correspondence ........................................................................ 29
Appendix 4 TMS Buoy Post FPSO Departure Risk Assessment....................................................... 32

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Tables and Figures

Table No. Description Page

Table 1.1 - Installation(s) being Decommissioned ................................................................................................... 8

Table 1.2 - Installation (s) Section 29 Notice Holders Details .................................................................................. 9
Table 1.3 - Summary of Decommissioning Programme(s) ...................................................................................... 9
Table 1.4 - Adjacent Facilities ................................................................................................................................ 11
Table 2.1 - Surface Facilities Information .............................................................................................................. 12
Table 3.1 - FPSO Dimensions ................................................................................................................................. 15
Table 3.2 - Preparation of Surface Facility for Removal ........................................................................................ 16
Table 3.3 - Surface Facility Removal Methods ....................................................................................................... 16
Table 3.4 - Waste Stream Management Methods................................................................................................. 17
Table 4.1 - Environmental Sensitivities .................................................................................................................. 19
Table 4.2 - Environmental Impact Management ................................................................................................... 20
Table 5.1 - Summary of Stakeholders Comments.................................................................................................. 22
Table 6.1 - Provisional Decommissioning Programme Costs ................................................................................. 24
Table 7.1 - Supporting Documents ........................................................................................................................ 25

Figure No. Description Page

Figure 1:1 - Field Locations in UKCS ...................................................................................................................... 10

Figure 1:2 - Field Layout........................................................................................................................................ 10
Figure 1:3 - Disconnectable Turret Buoy (DTB) position post FPSO removal ....................................................... 11
Figure 2:1 - Pie chart of estimated FPSO inventories ........................................................................................... 13
Figure 3:1 - Waste Hierarchy ................................................................................................................................ 14
Figure 3:2 - FPSO Aoka Mizu ................................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 3:3 - Disconnectable Turret Buoy (DTB) .................................................................................................... 15
Figure 6:1 - Gantt Chart of Project Plan ................................................................................................................ 23

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Terms and Abbreviations

ALARP As Low As Reasonably Practicable
CA Comparative Assessment
CoP Cessation of Production
DTB Disconnectable Turret Buoy
EA Environmental Appraisal
EPS Early Production System
FDP Field Development Plan
FPSO Floating Production Storage and Offloading (vessel)
GOR Gas Oil Ratio
GVI General Visual Inspection
ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Seas
IMO International Maritime Organization
LSA Low Specific Activity
MOC Management Of Change
MPA Marine Protected Area
NORM Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material
OGA Oil and Gas Authority
OPOL Offshore Pollution Liability Association
OPRED Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning
PFML Petrofac Facilities Management Ltd
PXEA Practice and Exercise Area
SCSSV Surface-Controlled Subsurface Safety Valve
SOSI Seabird Oil Sensitivity Index
SURF Subsea Umbilicals, Risers & Flowlines
SFF Scottish Fishermen’s Federation
TMS Turret Mooring System
UKCS United Kingdom Continental Shelf

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Appendices
Appendix Description Page
1 Partner Letters of Support 26

2 Copy of Public Notice 28

3 Statutory Consultee Correspondence 29

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1. Executive Summary
1.1. Decommissioning Programme

This document is the decommissioning programme for the Lancaster Field production host the Aoka Mizu Floating
Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO).
The remaining Lancaster Field infrastructure which is listed on the Section 29 Notices will be subject to a separate
Wells, Subsea, Pipelines and Mooring System Decommissioning Programme (HUR-GLA-ASM-REP-0002), which will
be submitted separately to OPRED.
The Aoka Mizu will be utilised for the initial decommissioning activities, namely the flushing/de-oiling of the subsea
infrastructure i.e. manifolds, risers, subsea flowlines and umbilical, and to support with the implementation of
positive isolations. The FPSO is then not required to perform any further decommissioning related activities on the
subsea infrastructure after completion of the decommissioning activities above, and it is proposed that the vessel
is removed thereafter from its current location. Activities associated with subsequent decommissioning stages of
the subsea flowlines, umbilical, risers and other subsea infrastructure will require the services provided by other
specialist vessels.
The early removal of this Installation will not prejudice any further decommissioning work in the Lancaster Field.

1.2. Requirement for Decommissioning Programme

Installation

In accordance with the Petroleum Act 1998, the Section 29 notice holders of the Lancaster Field’s FPSO installation
(Table 1-1) are applying to the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning (OPRED) to
obtain approval for decommissioning the installation detailed in Section 2.1 of this programme. (See also Appendix
1- Partner Letter(s) of Support).

In conjunction with public, stakeholder and regulatory consultation, the Decommissioning Programme is submitted
in compliance with national and international regulations and OPRED guidelines. The schedule outlined in this
document is for a 23-30 day decommissioning project plan due to begin in 2023, however the timing of the
decommissioning programme will depend on reservoir performance, oil price and other factors.
The Lancaster Field Operator (Hurricane Energy PLC), on behalf of the P1368 Central Licensee (Hurricane GLA
Limited), has submitted to the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) a Cessation of Production document which
demonstrates, against a backdrop of the Licensee’s financial position, that all economic development opportunities
have been pursued for the Lancaster Field and associated infrastructure including access to current third-party
infrastructure. On 14 December 2021 the OGA confirmed no objection to the CoP document as proposed.

1.3. Introduction

The Lancaster Field is located West of Shetland, approximately 70 kilometres southwest of the Clair Field and
approximately 15 kilometres to the southeast of the Foinaven and Schiehallion Fields within Blocks 205/21a,
205/22a and 205/26b in Frontier Licence P1368 Central. The licence is owned by Hurricane GLA Limited with 100%
interest. Hurricane GLA Limited is a 100% wholly owned subsidiary of Hurricane Energy PLC. Hurricane Energy PLC
operates Frontier Licence P1368 Central and the Lancaster Field on behalf of Hurricane GLA Limited. Hereafter
“Hurricane” or “Company” shall be used to reference either one or more of Hurricane Energy PLC and Hurricane
GLA Limited, as the context requires.

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Field Description
The reservoir at the Lancaster Field is comprised of fractured basement consisting of both igneous and
metamorphic rocks of Precambrian age at a depth of approximately 1000 metres below sea level at its shallowest
point. This basement reservoir is overlain by a sequence of Mesozoic sediments which onlap onto the flanks of the
basement high which are overlain by a thick sequence of late Cretaceous marine shales which act as a regional seal.
The Lancaster Field is a 4-way dip structure with hydrocarbon fill controlled by dip spill to the east. The oil present
within the reservoir is 38° API with a gas oil ratio (GOR) in the range of 390 - 420 scf/stb based on a single stage
flash to stock tank conditions.

Development and Infrastructure

The first phase of the Lancaster Field development was defined by Hurricane as an Early Production System (EPS)
and was the subject of the 2017 Lancaster EPS Field Development Plan (FDP).
The Lancaster EPS consists of two horizontal production wells, 205/21a-6 (P6) and 205/21a-7Z (P7Z) tied back to
the turret-moored Aoka Mizu FPSO which Hurricane has leased from Bluewater (Aoka Mizu) B.V. and which is
operated by Bluewater Lancaster Production (UK) Limited (hereafter individually or collectively referred to as
“Bluewater”). The Lancaster EPS development is shown schematically in Figure 1:2.
The two subsea production wells are tied back to the Lancaster Production Manifold that is located approximately
2km due North of the FPSO. Twin surface laid 6"ID flexible flowlines and a continuous dynamic static umbilical
connect the FPSO to the manifold. The lines are protected by a single continuous rockdump berm, that terminates
approximately 30m from Manifold.
The Lancaster EPS commenced production operations in May 2019 and there has been no additional development
of the field since then.
The Aoka Mizu FPSO is moored on location by a Turret Mooring System (TMS). The TMS allows the FPSO to passively
weathervane and consists of a Disconnectable Turret Buoy (DTB) moored to the seabed by 12 mooring lines,
arranged in 3 clusters of 4.
Following public, stakeholder and regulatory consultation, the Decommissioning Programme for the FPSO is
submitted without a request for derogation and in full compliance with OPRED guidelines. This Decommissioning
Programme explains the principles of the activities associated with the removal of the FPSO from the Lancaster
Field location and is to be supported by environmental permits which will be obtained for the decommissioning
activities described in this Decommissioning Programme, as required.

1.4. Overview of Installation being Decommissioned

1.4.1. Installation

Lancaster Production Oil

Field(s)
Type
Water Depth (m) 150 (Oil/Gas/Cond
UKCS block 205/21a
ensate)
Distance to 54 Distance from nearest UK 98
median (km) coastline (km)
Surface Installation(s)
Number Type FPSO Weight (Te) Jacket Weight (Te)
1 FPSO 33,042 N/A
Jac
Table 1-1 - Installation(s) being Decommissioned

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Section 29 Notice Holder(s)* Registration Number Equity Interest (%)

Hurricane Energy PLC 05245689 0%
Hurricane GLA Limited 10656211 100%
Bluewater (Aoka Mizu) B.V. Overseas company registration in 0%
NETHERLANDS (Reg Ref. NL57513783).
Table 1-2 - Installation (s) Section 29 Notice Holders Details

1.5. Summary of Proposed Decommissioning Programme

Selected Option Reason for Selection Proposed Decommissioning Solution

1. FPSO
Complete removal and FPSO suitable for re-use The Aoka Mizu FPSO is under a Lease Contract between
re-use Hurricane and the FPSO owner, Bluewater (Aoka Mizu)
B.V., until the end of field life is declared by Hurricane.
After completion of the operation at its current
location, at the discretion of the FPSO owner, the FPSO
will transit from the field to a suitable licensed location
for preparation for re-use or decommissioning.
Following redelivery, the FPSO owner will re-assume
full control of and responsibility for the FPSO. The
decommissioned waste and FPSO vessel (if not reused)
will be recycled or disposed of in compliance with the
standards comparable with those set under the
applicable laws of the United Kingdom.
2. Disconnectable Turret Buoy (DTB)
Disconnected and To allow demobilisation Addressed under a separate Wells, Subsea, Pipelines
lowered to neutrally of the FPSO, the DTB and Mooring System Decommissioning
buoyant depth must be disconnected Programme HUR-GLA-ASM-REP-0002
and lowered to a
neutrally buoyant
depth.
3. Pipelines, Flowlines & Umbilicals
Flushed with water To ensure cleanliness in Addressed under a separate Wells, Subsea, Pipelines
preparation for later and Mooring System Decommissioning
decommissioning Programme HUR-GLA-ASM-REP-0002
4. Interdependencies
The FPSO can be disconnected and demobilised independent of any decommissioning activities required for the
DTB, mooring system and subsea system (covered under a separate Decommissioning Programme). In order to
assist decommissioning of the subsea system, flushing of subsea flowlines, jumpers and umbilical chemical cores
will be carried out from the FPSO prior to disconnection. Suitable personnel from the FPSO core crew will be
retained through the decommissioning programme to undertake sampling and analysis of the returned flushing
fluids to ensure the specified cleanliness of the subsea system is achieved.
Table 1-3 - Summary of Decommissioning Programme(s)

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1.6. Field Location including Field Layout and Adjacent Facilities

Figure 1:1 - Field Locations in UKCS

Figure 1:2 - Field Layout

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Figure 1:3 - Disconnectable Turret Buoy (DTB) position post FPSO removal

Owner Name Type Distance/Direction Information Status

Harbour Solan Platform 14.3km South West Gas/liquids Operational
Energy plc processing, oil
export via
subsea storage
tank to shuttle
tankers
Impacts of Decommissioning Proposals
The decommissioning programme will have no impact on any nearby/adjacent
MEG facility. and
control system
Table 1-4 - Adjacent Facilities links for Welland,
onward export
1.7. Industrial Implications to Bacton

Bluewater Lancaster Production (UK) Ltd. will carry out the demobilisation of the Aoka Mizu FPSO under the existing
Production, Operation and Services contract with Hurricane GLA Limited.

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2. Description of Items to be Decommissioned

2.1. Installation – Surface Facility

Topsides/Facilities Jacket (if applicable)

Facility Location** Weight
Name Weight No of Weight Number Number
Type of piles
(Te) modules (Te) of legs of piles
(Te)
WGS84 60.179894 N
Decimal 3.869937 W
Aoka WGS84 600 10.793’N 33,042 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
FPSO
Mizu
Decimal 30 52.195’W
Minute
Table 2-1 - Surface Facilities Information

2.2. Wells

No wells are included in the scope of this decommissioning programme.

Following removal of the FPSO, there will no longer be pressure monitoring of the Lancaster wells. Prior to FPSO
demobilisation, an MOC will be undertaken by Hurricane’s Well Operator (PFML) with an accompanying Risk
Assessment to determine whether the proposed integrity / suspension status is ALARP, or whether additional
measures are required, e.g., downhole isolation plugs, additional monitoring capabilities at surface.
The current mitigations in place are as follows:
The SCSSV and Xmas Tree valves will be tested in the normal way (Well Operating Practices Document), these
integrity tests are valid for 12 months.
A GVI inspection will be performed, this will be subject to Risk Assessment in terms of requirement to increase
the GVI frequency given there will be no further monitoring capability at the wellhead (or downhole).

2.3. Inventory Estimates

As per routine production operations when Lancaster Field is in production:

Crude cargo will be off loaded via shuttle tanker (as part of the preparatory works prior to sail away from the
Lancaster Field location).
Produced water and slops water will be cleaned to be with OPOL limits prior to discharge to sea (as part of the
preparatory works prior to sail away from the Lancaster Field location). Residual slops will be stored in slops tanks
for onshore discharge using an approved hazardous waste contractor.
All other FPSO materials and inventory remain the responsibility of Bluewater. The FPSO will be returned to
Bluewater for re-use / redeployment following demobilisation from the Lancaster Field.
Environmental appraisal is not required to support this Decommissioning Programme.

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Figure 2:1 - Pie chart of estimated FPSO inventories

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3. Removal and Disposal Methods

In line with the waste hierarchy, the re-use of an installation (or parts thereof) is first in the order of preferred
decommissioning options. The FPSO will be removed from the Lancaster Field and made available for re-use by its
owner Bluewater, in line with the preferred option in the waste hierarchy.

Figure 3:1 - Waste Hierarchy

Decommissioning the Aoka Mizu FPSO will generate a quantity of waste which Hurricane and Bluewater will manage
using environmentally acceptable methods for managing wastes in line with the Waste Framework Directive and
principles of the waste hierarchy.

3.1. Surface Facility (FPSO)

Surface Facility Description: The Aoka Mizu is a Bluewater designed, owned and operated FPSO. The FPSO was
built in 2008, integrating a turret moonpool, a foundation grillage to support process topsides and hull upgrades
for higher ultimate strength and fatigue capacity.
The FPSO operated on the Ettrick and Blackbird Fields, UKCS, from 2009 until 2016. Following a period of lay-up in
Gdansk (Poland), the FPSO was refurbished and upgraded for redeployment to the Lancaster Field at the Drydock
World Dubai shipyard in 2017-2018.
The FPSO is equipped with a DTB, located aft of the accommodation enabling passive weathervaning. The mooring
legs are connected to the DTB and are arranged in a 3x4 configuration, optimised with respect to prevailing wind
conditions. The Aoka Mizu commenced production from the Lancaster Field in 2019.
The main dimensions of the FPSO are set out in Table 3-1 while a picture of the Aoka Mizu if provided in Figure
3:2.

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Dimension Metres
Length 248.1
Breadth 42.0
Depth 21.2
Table 3-1 - FPSO Dimensions

Figure 3:2 - FPSO Aoka Mizu

Section 2 of this decommissioning programme describes all items and substances relating to the Lancaster FPSO to
be removed from the Lancaster Field. No items or substances in the Lancaster Field, other than detailed in Section
2 will be removed at this time and will be the subject of a further decommissioning programme. The
decommissioned waste and FPSO vessel (if not reused) will be recycled or disposed of in compliance with the
standards comparable with those set under the applicable laws of the United Kingdom.

Figure 3:3 - Disconnectable Turret Buoy (DTB)

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Preparation:

Waste Type Composition of Waste Disposal Route

Onboard hydrocarbons Process fluids, fuels and Crude inventory will be offloaded to a shuttle
lubricants tanker for sale.
Methanol and other production chemical
inventory will be disposed of by bullheading into
the Lancaster wells.
Produced water that is unable to be
overboarded under the oil discharge permit will
be stored in slops tanks for onshore discharge
using an approved hazardous waste contractor.
Fuels and lubricants will remain in their
dedicated storage tanks for the FPSO transit,
and then disposed of onshore using an
approved hazardous waste contractor.

Other hazardous NORM, LSA scale, any radioactive Transported onshore for disposal by appropriate
materials material, instruments containing means, only minimal quantities expected.
heavy metals, batteries
Table 3-2 - Preparation of Surface Facility for Removal

Removal Methods:

1) HLV (semi-submersible crane vessel) ☐ 2) SLV ☐ 3) Piece small ☐ 4) Other ☒

Method Description

Disconnection and complete removal Following the flushing, cleaning and disconnection of all risers
and umbilical’s and putting in place appropriate barriers for
retention of hydrocarbons the FPSO using its own systems shall
disconnect and lower the DTB from its moonpool.
The FPSO will then transit outside the Lancaster Field’s FPSO
500m Safety Zone, at which point the FPSO is considered to be
redelivered to the owner.
The DTB with connected mooring system, risers and umbilical
will be at a depth of approximately 20m below mean sea level
following disconnection and will remain in this condition
pending subsea and mooring system decommissioning.

Table 3-3 - Surface Facility Removal Methods

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3.2. Waste Streams

Waste Stream Removal and Disposal method

Bulk liquids Prior to the FPSO moving off the Lancaster Field location, any crude inventory in the FPSO
cargo tanks will be sold and offloaded to a shuttle tanker for onwards transport to the
receiving terminal.
Any remaining methanol or production chemical inventory on the FPSO will be disposed
of by bull heading into the Lancaster wells.
All subsea flowline cleaning chemicals and flushing water will be returned to the FPSO for
processing and discharge in line with the permits in place for the operations. Any produced
water that is unable to be overboarded under the oil discharge permit will be stored in
the FPSO slops tanks for onshore discharge and disposal.
The remaining inventory in the slops tanks will be discharged at port, at which point the
final FPSO tank cleaning and gas-freeing activities will be carried out.
Fuels and lubricants will remain in their dedicated storage tanks for the FPSO transit, and
then disposed of onshore.

Marine growth Marine growth is expected, however will not impact the demobilisation operations.

NORM/LSA Scale NORM contaminated items will be decontaminated at an approved facility prior to disposal.
All NORM materials will be disposed of at a suitably permitted facility.

Asbestos No asbestos has been identified.

Other hazardous Any hazardous wastes remaining within the FPSO shall be disposed of onshore under
wastes appropriate permits.
Onshore Section 2 of this decommissioning programme describes all items and substances
Dismantling sites relating to the Lancaster FPSO to be removed from the Lancaster Field. No items or
substances in the Lancaster Field, other than detailed in Section 2 will be removed at
this time and will be the subject of a further decommissioning programme. The
decommissioned waste and FPSO vessel (if not reused) will be recycled or disposed
of in compliance with the standards comparable with those set under the applicable
laws of the United Kingdom.

Table 3-4 - Waste Stream Management Methods

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4. Environmental Appraisal Overview

The Environmental Appraisal for the Lancaster Field decommissioning will be submitted with the Wells, Subsea and
Mooring System Decommissioning Programme.
A summary of the main sensitivities in the area are given in Table 4-1 below.
All operations described in this Decommissioning Programme will be subject to the relevant environmental permits,
consents and approvals and will be managed through a Permits, Licences, Authorisations, Notifications and
Consents (PLANC) register jointly developed by Bluewater and Hurricane.

4.1. Environmental Sensitivities

Environmental Main Features

Receptor
Conservation The project area is located outside any conservation sites. The closest marine SPA to the Aoka
interests Mizu FPSO location is the Seas off Foula SPA, roughly 30 km from the FPSO at its nearest
point. The Faeroe-Shetland Sponge Belt MPA is approximately 18 km to the north, the West
Shetland Shelf MPA is approximately 40 km to the southwest and the North-west Orkney
MPA is approximately 60 km to the southeast of the Lancaster Field.

Seabed The Lancaster Field is situated at the edge of the continental shelf to the west of Shetland.
Water depths over the whole of the Lancaster Field range from 134 m to around 180 m, the
water depth at the Aoka Mizu FPSO location is approximately 150 m. Lancaster is situated at
the upper edge of an area on the continental shelf known as the ‘iceberg ploughmark zone’.
This area is characterised by the presence of furrows in the seabed caused by the grounding
of icebergs in previous glacial periods. The seabed generally comprises of coarse sandy
sediments interspersed with more gravelly areas supporting patches of cobbles and
boulders.

Fish The Lancaster Field lies within spawning areas for Norway pout, a species that spawns during
the winter and early spring (January to April), and sand eels which spawn from November to
February. The Lancaster field is also located within year round nursery grounds for spurdog
(high intensity), herring, whiting, blue whiting, ling, hake, monkfish (high intensity), sandeels,
mackerel (high intensity) and Norway pout (Coull et al, 1998; Ellis et al, 2012).

Fisheries The Lancaster Field lies in ICES rectangle 49E6, fishing effort is moderate compared to other
ICES rectangles in Scottish waters. Effort is spread throughout the year but tends to be
focused from November to May and in September.

Marine The Lancaster Field is situated near the edge of the Faroe-Shetland Channel. The waters of
Mammals the channel support important and diverse populations of whales, dolphins and porpoises.
The area is understood to provide feeding grounds, breeding and nursery areas and
migration routes for a range of cetacean species. Certain species are resident in the shallower
waters of the shelf where they feed all year round such as minke whales, smallest of the
larger filter feeding whales, white beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. White sided
dolphins and larger species such as killer whales and long finned pilot whales preferentially
inhabit the deeper waters beyond the continental shelf and are rarer in the shallow waters
around the Aoka Mizu FPSO. The Lancaster field is located in the relatively shallow waters of
the continental shelf, where minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises
feed year round.

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Environmental Main Features

Receptor
Two species of seals are resident on Scottish waters, grey and common seals, both are rarely
sighted waters as deep as the Aoka Mizu FPSO location.

Birds Seabirds present within the immediate vicinity of the Aoka Mizu FPSO include Fulmar
(Fulmarus glacialis), Gannet (Sula bassana), Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), Arctic Skua
(Stercorarius parasiticus), Great Skua (Stercorarius skua), Great Black-Backed Gull (Larus
marinus), Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), Common Tern (Sterna hirundo), Arctic Tern (Sterna
paradisea), Guillemot (Uria aalge), Razorbill (Alca torda), Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)
and Puffin (Fratercula arctica). All these species have breeding populations within the SEA 4
area, which exceed one percent of their European population, with most of these species
having major breeding colonies, in terms of their biogeographic population, located on
Shetland, Orkney and the north coast of Scotland.
The Seabird Oil Sensitivity Index (SOSI) identifies areas at sea where seabirds are likely to be
most sensitive to surface pollution; the SOSI values in Block 205/21a is low throughout the
year except for periods of high sensitivity in January and November with no data available
for this block in December.
Onshore All onshore facilities used during the decommissioning of the Lancaster EPS FPSO, including
Communities offload ports and recycling facilities, will comply with all permitting and legislative
requirements.

Other Users of The Lancaster Field is in what is described as an open water location and the level of shipping
the Sea traffic is quite low although there has been an increase in routes since the drilling operations
at Lancaster began in 2009. The majority of this traffic is made up of support vessels for the
offshore industry.
The Lancaster Field does not fall within a Ministry of Defence (MoD) designated Practice and
Exercise Area (PXEA), the nearest practice area is approximately 100km to the south.
However, licensing conditions relevant to the Lancaster field indicate the requirement to
consult with MoD regarding training areas. In addition, an annual multi-disciplinary training
and readiness exercise is known to take place in waters west of Scotland (Exercise Joint
Warrior).

Atmosphere Although offshore winds around the FPSO may blow from any direction, southwesterly winds
are most prevalent. In spring (March to May), winds are recorded from all directions with
those from the southeast slightly more dominant (Met Office, 2009). Gale force winds have
been recorded, but winds of 11 to 27 knots are most common. Conditions are more settled
during the summer (June to August); winds up to 21 knots are most common at this time.
Wind strength increases in autumn (September to November) with gale forces winds from
the southwest encountered regularly. Conditions are roughest in winter (December to
February) with a significant proportion of winds in excess of 33 knots. The wind regime at
this time is dominated by winds from the southwest.
Table 4-1 - Environmental Sensitivities

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4.2. Potential Environmental Impacts and their Management

Activity Main Impacts Management

Floating Facility Removal Disconnection and submersion of the DTB to -20m may A guard vessel will remain on station to ensure any
cause interference with other vessels. approaching shipping is made aware of the
obstruction and advised to change course if necessary.
The earliest opportunity for the subsea
decommissioning programme will be the summer
season following removal of the FPSO. Therefore, the
DTB will remain submerged in the water column for a
minimum of one year post removal of the FPSO.
The subsea decommissioning programme will be
executed in line with OGA Stewardship Expectation 10
Cost Effective Decommissioning, it is expected this will
be within 3 years of removal of the FPSO.

Floating Facility Removal There will be no impact on the seabed from the removal
of the FPSO as all infrastructure will remain in the water
column attached to the DTB until the subsea and
mooring systems are decommissioned.

Floating Facility Removal It is anticipated that there will be localised effects on air
quality from the project due to increased vessel use but
it is not anticipated that there will be a significant
impact on air quality on a wider scale.

Table 4-2 - Environmental Impact Management

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5. Interested Party Consultations

Who Comment Response

Informal Stakeholder Consultations
Scottish
Fishermen’s Although it is highlighted under Section 1.1 of the Executive
Summary that the remaining Lancaster Field will be subject to a Description of the
Federation manifold,
separate Decommissioning Programme, we feel that it would be
worth mentioning the existence of the Lancaster Manifold under the flowlines and
Development and Infrastructure section (Section 1.3). umbilical added to
Section 1.3
In the interest of fishermen’s safety, we are pleased to note that
following FPSO decommissioning, a guard vessel will remain on site
to monitor and ensure the safety of the DTB prior to its Noted
decommissioning.
It is noted that there is no requirement for post decommissioning
debris clearance or verification following FPSO removal (an as-left Wording added to
ROV survey of the DTB and moorings will be carried out post clarify that debris
demobilisation of the FPSO), but that a full-scale post clearance and
decommissioning environmental seabed and pipeline survey of the verification will be
Lancaster field will be carried out following full decommissioning of carried out on
the field. We would take this opportunity to mentioned that as completion of the
highlighted and reiterated to OPRED on numerous occasions, given SURF and
past experiences of both abandoned wellhead and oil & gas fields in moorings
the process of being decommissioned, the SFF has serious decommissioning
reservations regarding the use of survey data to verify that an area programme.
is safe for fishing activity to resume following decommissioning
activity. It is our view that the undertaking of trawl verification
sweeps under controlled conditions, which replicated the fishing
operations that will be permitted in the area following the
decommissioning work, is the best method of establishing that it is
safe for fishing to resume in said area.

UK HSE None.

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Statutory Consultations
National Due to the geographical area of these assets been in Scottish Waters
Federation of the National Federation Fishermen’s Organisation (NFFO) have no
Fishermen’s comments regarding the planned decommissioning program, as the
Organisations Scottish Fishermen’s Federation who we work closely with are best
placed to comment and raise any concerns if required.

Scottish The Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) very much appreciates

Fishermen’s Hurricane Energy incorporating the SFF’s previous comments from
Federation our earlier informal consultation in November 2021 and I can advise
that we have no additional comments to offer in respect of this latest
version of the Lancaster Field FPSO Decommissioning Programme
issued for statutory consultation.

Northern Irish No comments were received.

Fish Producers’
Organisation
Ltd
Global Marine As the nearest active telecom cable is SHEFA-2, situated over 13km
Systems from the proposed works, I [Global Marine Systems Ltd] have no
further comments.

Public No comments were received.

Table 5-1 - Summary of Stakeholders Comments

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6. Programme Management
6.1. Project Management and Verification

Hurricane Asset Management Team will manage and liaise with Bluewater for the removal of the FPSO Aoka
Mizu from the Lancaster Field. Standard procedures for operational control, hazard identification and
management will be used.
Hurricane, together with Bluewater, will monitor and track the process of consents and the consultations
required as part of this process. Any changes in detail to the offshore removal programme will be discussed and
agreed with OPRED.

6.2. Post Decommissioning Debris Clearance and Verification

There is no requirement for post decommissioning debris clearance or verification following FPSO removal, this
will be carried out upon completion of the Wells Subsea, Pipelines and Mooring System Decommissioning
Programme.
A full-scale post decommissioning environmental seabed and pipeline survey of the Lancaster field will be
carried out following full decommissioning of the field. Results of this survey will be available once the work is
complete, with a copy forwarded to OPRED.

6.3. Schedule

A nominal decommissioning schedule is provided in Figure 6:1 based around a nominal cessation of production
(CoP) date of Q2 2023. The actual timing of CoP will depend on many factors including production performance,
oil price.

Figure 6:1 - Gantt Chart of Project Plan

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6.4. Costs

Item Estimated Cost (£m)

Surface Facility (FPSO) – Preparation, disconnection and removal Provided to OPRED
Pipeline(s) Decommissioning N/A
Subsea Installation(s) and Stabilisation Feature(s) N/A
Well Abandonment N/A
Continuing Liability – Future Pipeline and Environmental Survey Requirements N/A
TOTAL Provided to OPRED
Table 6-1 - Provisional Decommissioning Programme Costs

6.5. Close Out

In accordance with the OPRED Guidelines, a close out report will be submitted to OPRED within one year of the
completion of this FPSO Decommissioning Programme.
The report will detail the scope performed and explain any major variances from the programme.
A full field close out report will be submitted to OPRED within one year of the completion of full field
decommissioning.

6.6. Post Decommissioning Monitoring and Evaluation

Following FPSO decommissioning a guard vessel will remain on site to monitor and ensure the safety of the DTB
prior to its decommissioning. The guard vessel will remain on station until the DTB is removed from the field.
The earliest opportunity for the subsea decommissioning programme will be the summer season following
removal of the FPSO. Therefore, the DTB will remain submerged in the water column for a minimum of one year
post removal of the FPSO, refer to Appendix 4 TMS Buoy Post FPSO Departure Risk Assessment for the Risk
Assessment.
The subsea decommissioning programme will be executed in line with OGA Stewardship Expectation 10 Cost
Effective Decommissioning, however it is expected this will be within 3 years of removal of the FPSO.
Post-decommissioning site surveys for the subsea installations and moorings will be covered under the
Decommissioning Programme for the subsea infrastructure and wells.

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7. Supporting Documents
Not applicable, the FPSO decommissioning does not require support of an environmental appraisal or
comparative assessment.

Document
Title
Number

Table 7-1 - Supporting Documents

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Appendix 1 Partner Letter(s) of Support

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Appendix 2 Public Notices

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Appendix 3 Statutory Consultee Correspondence

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Appendix 4 TMS Buoy Post FPSO Departure Risk Assessment

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