Abstract

An obsolete well tripod platform in ARCO's Offshore North West Java (ONWJ) Bravo area, namely BJ Tripod, has been decommissioned. The platform had ceased producing but was still in good physical condition.

When Arco had a plan to develop LNA field, the engineers in ARCO looked at the platform inventory and found that BJ had structural similarity with the platform that was needed for LNA.

A study was then conducted to verify whether BJ would meet the requirement for LNA.

Once it was found that BJ technically would meet the requirement, a commercial check was conducted to ensure that the project would be economic.

Platform relocation involves more marine operations than installation of new built structure. The operation includes involvement of expensive derrick barge spread. In many cases the cost of platform removal, transportation and refurbishment exceeds the cost of newly built platform, therefore platform relocation usually is not a popular strategy. However, Arco Indonesia engineers took a closer look at the condition of BJ well tripod and decided that due to the similarity of water depth, the soil condition, the deck equipment and the physical condition, the relocation would enhance the project economic of LNA.

In addition to saving the capital expenditure, the removal of BJ meant a saving of operating expenses and the saving of ultimate disposal cost of the platform.

This paper documents the major accomplishment in the removal, refurbishment and the reinstallation of BJ Well Platform to LNA location as well as documents the problems encountered during the execution of the project. Along with BJ relocation, ARCO Indonesia also relocated MY Tripod Deck to YA location. Prior to these relocations, two well tripod decks, namely MXA and MXB were also relocated to KNA and BM locations respectively. The experience acquired during the implementation of those projects provides valuable tools in project planning and decision making.