The National Decommissioning Centre is exhibiting at SPE Well Decommissioning at the P&J Live in Aberdeen, 4-5 June 2024.

Some 2000 wells are set to be decommissioned in the UKCS over the next ten years. The Barrier Qualification and Test Services is the only industry-led portable onshore test facility for oil and gas well plugging and abandonment. The design allows for the testing of alternative or existing barrier materials such as bismuth alloys, thermite-based and resin technologies under high pressure and high temperature conditions which mimic well environments. Hear from the NDC how the technology allows for the de-risking and analysis in the development and refinement of cost-effective P&A technologies.

Upcoming events also include the NDA Supply Chain Event, 27 June 24, Telford International Centre and Floating Offshore Wind 9-10 October at the P&J Live in Aberdeen.

Find out about the NDC’s real-time marine simulation capabilities and how our researchers are using this technology to develop a Smart Energy Basin for the UKCS.  Attendees can learn about our collaborations with the energy sector and our world-leading research in areas such as decommissioning technologies, predictive modelling, environmental assessment, quantification of GHG emissions, economics and regulation.

Below are insights and recent articles on some of the NDC’s ongoing projects.

Marine simulator and Smart Energy Basin

NDC's cutting-edge marine simulator provides a safe virtual environment for the scenario planning of decommissioning programmes and the trialling of new offshore technologies. Learn more about how the marine simulator's 'smart cities' capability is powering the Smart Energy Basin project to model energy infrastructure in the North Sea.
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Underwater Laser Cutting Project

Video showing open water laser cutting test at Kishorn Port in June 2021 as part of Phase I project. Successful cuts of 60mm steel at 70m in open water were achieved. Phase 2 project is developing the system for a specific offshore operation and a KTP project is assisting in optimisation of the gas jet. EnQuest and Harbour Energy supplying test sites.
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Barrier Qualification and Test Services

Read more about the Barrier Qualification and Test Services project. Expected to be delivered in 2024 the design allows for the testing of alternative or existing barrier materials, such as bismuth alloys, thermite-based and resin technologies, under high pressure and high temperature conditions which replicate well environments.
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Technical Services

The NDC is highly experienced at providing specialist testing services for subsea engineering and offshore decommissioning equipment. A purpose-built hangar houses various facilities including the laser cutting project, high pressure hyperbaric testing vessel, vibration table, environmental chambers and indoor immersion tank.
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An Integrated North Sea

AGCC Business Bulletin September issue, feature on the role the NDC is playing in Data for Net Zero (D4NZ), a collaborative project to develop a Smart Energy Basin for the UKCS.
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