Last month, Stephen Taylor, Managing Director at AquaTerra Group Ltd took to the stage at the OEUK Offshore Decommissioning Conference 2025, to contribute to discussions on the Decommissioning Work Breakdown Structure (WBS).
Focusing on the critical phases of topsides preparation and removal, Stephen emphasised the role that specialist SMEs play in delivering safe, predictable and efficient decommissioning projects.
AquaTerra provides specialist support in all phases of the decommissioning process through the provision of engineering, preparations, removal and disposal (EPRD). Stephen highlighted how early, proactive engagement between operators, Heavy Lift Vessel (HLV) contractors and the wider supply chain can dramatically improve project outcomes. By engaging technical specialists as early as possible, teams can reduce uncertainty and set projects up for smoother, more efficient delivery while carrying forward lessons from one project to the next.
To bring these themes to life, the talk explored three recent topside preparation scopes delivered by AquaTerra that demonstrated the benefits of early engagement and joint planning. Stephen illustrated this with AquaTerra’s involvement in the Heather Alpha Decommissioning Project, undertaken in collaboration with EnQuest. This sector-leading project, which earned EnQuest the OEUK Award for Excellence in Decommissioning, showcased the value of coordinated working between operators and specialist supply chain partners. AquaTerra’s contribution was fundamental to the successful delivery and completion of this project, as the team delivered all underdeck preparation works, including the complex final leg separation that enabled the topsides to be safely removed.
Stephen reinforced AquaTerra’s view that successful decommissioning is based on effective preparation and collaboration. By engaging the supply chain early and encouraging open collaboration the industry can continue to enhance safety and deliver decommissioning projects more efficiently across the North Sea.