Petrogas E&P Netherlands B.V. (a part of Petrogas E&P LLC, head quartered in Muscat, Oman) has awarded Heerema Marine Contractors an integrated engineering, preparation, removal, and disposal (EPRD) decommissioning contract for multiple North Sea platforms.

The work involves removing the Haven, Hoorn, Helm, and Helder platforms from Block Q1 of the Dutch sector in the Southern North Sea. The execution of the offshore removals will take place over several years.

Over the last 40 years of production, the platforms have been important contributors to the Dutch oil and gas industry, with the Helm platform being the first to produce oil on the Dutch continental shelf for the Dutch market, starting production in October 1982. Their removal is the final stage in a key part of the Netherlands` energy history.

Usama Al Barwani, CEO of Petrogas E&P LLC, said: ‘One of our core values in Petrogas is to “Give back” to Society, Environment, and our stakeholders. This value is imbibed in our commitment towards ESG responsibilities for our Netherlands business, throughout the lifecycle of our assets. I look forward to a fruitful and sustainable partnership with Heerema for the safe and efficient removal of these platforms.’

Sen Kingsuk, CCO and VP-Europe of Petrogas E&P LLC, added: “Petrogas’ foray into offshore operations in the Netherlands provided a great opportunity for us to grow and create value. At the same time, we also took on the responsibility and commitment to safely decommission these mature assets when they reached the end of their productive lives. I am so happy and proud to see us take this step through our partnership with Heerema, to fulfill our responsibility and commitment to restore mother nature.”

Koos-Jan van Brouwershaven, Heerema`s CEO, said `We are proud to be Petrogas E&P Netherlands` chosen contractor for this significant decommissioning project. Our team is looking forward to working closely with Petrogas to prepare and execute the safe and sustainable decommissioning of these platforms.`

‘Heerema has installed the majority of North Sea platforms, and we believe in the circularity of removing these structures, leaving the sea as we found it. This action aligns with our own sustainable and circular ambitions to reuse and recycle wherever possible.’

Nick Dancer, Petrogas E&P Netherlands’ General Manager said ‘We are proud to have reached the 40th year of production with these assets, but the time has come to remove the platforms. This contract demonstrates Petrogas’ commitment to the safe and timely removal of our facilities and we are very pleased to have signed this contract with Heerema, whom we believe are the ideal partner for this project with their commitment to sustainability and circularity.’