WELL management and drilling firm AGR has announced it has begun the decommissioning operations of Ireland’s first indigenous gas wells on behalf of PSE Kinsale Energy.
PSE Kinsale Energy Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of PETRONAS, is decommissioning its gas fields in the Kinsale Area in the Celtic Sea, approximately 50 km off the south coast of Cork, Ireland.
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AGR’s Aberdeen-based team is overseeing the planning and decommissioning of 14 platform wells and 10 subsea wells during the two-phase well decommissioning campaign.
The gas fields first came into production in 1978 and production ceased in July this year.
Andrew Stannard, AGR chief operating officer, said: “Following the planning stages we have now commenced offshore operations on the Kinsale Alpha platform and are preparing to commence operations on the nearby Kinsale Bravo platform in the coming months.
“Despite the challenges of COVID-19 the mobilisation of equipment and personnel to the Kinsale Alpha was completed without issue and the project is progressing well and to schedule. Everyone involved in the project has done a tremendous job in making this happen safely and efficiently.
AGR was awarded the contract for well-decommissioning services for the Kinsale Area in 2018. The scope of work includes for planning, engineering, regulatory approvals, supply chain, logistics and management and supervision of offshore operations.
Fergal Murphy, PSE Kinsale Energy chief executive officer, added: “We are pleased with the progress to date and the quality and professionalism of work undertaken by AGR and the associated subcontractors under their management.”
The platform well-decommissioning campaign is expected to be complete by mid-2021.
