Shell U.K. Exploration & Production, operating joint venture for Shell U.K. Ltd. and Esso Exploration & Production U.K. Ltd., has received nine detailed proposals for disposal of the Brent spar loading buoy.
The proposals have been submitted by six contractors or groups that were shortlisted in January to develop fully 11 ideas out of an original 30 outline plans submitted (OGJ, Jan. 20, 1997, p. 24).
Shell/Esso said since then a plan to use the derelict buoy's hull as a dock gate and one to use the topsides as an onshore training center have been dropped by the contractor groups concerned.
The operator aims to publish full details of the proposals, including costs, after Det Norske Veritas AS (DNV), Oslo, has carried out an independent evaluation in about 3 months.
Then Shell/Esso plans to discuss the proposals in public seminars. After this, the company will recommend to U.K. Department of Trade & Industry its preferred disposal plan.
Eric Faulds, Shell/Esso decommissioning manager, said: "Now we've received the nine detailed bids we can start the long process of comparing them with each other and with the benchmark option of deep sea disposal.
"We won't be announcing contractors' cost estimates, or their calculations on safety or environmental impacts, until DNV has ensured that these have been provided on a similar basis and are therefore truly comparable."
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