In a landmark achievement for India’s energy sector, Shell, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) have successfully completed the country’s first offshore facilities decommissioning project.
Project Overview
The Panna-Mukta and Tapti (PMT) joint venture, operating under a production sharing contract with the Government of India, undertook the safe removal of mid and south Tapti field facilities. The project involved:
- Removal of five wellhead platforms
- Dismantling of associated infield pipelines
- Load-in at the onshore dismantling yard
- Safe plugging and abandonment of 38 wells
Significance of the Project
Production from the Tapti fields ceased in March 2016, and this decommissioning project sets a new benchmark for responsible offshore energy transitions. The initiative was developed in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), and Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD).
Industry Leaders Speak
- Nipun Pradhan, Managing Director of BGEPIL and GM Shell Upstream India, called the project a “landmark moment for India’s offshore energy sector”, emphasizing global expertise, strong collaboration, and commitment to safety.
- Sanjay Barman Roy, President of E&P, Reliance Industries Limited, highlighted the strengthening of local supply chains and technical capabilities of Indian contractors.
- Pankaj Kumar, Director (Production), ONGC, noted that the project’s complexity required strategic planning and precise execution, marking a defining moment in India’s energy landscape.
Future Implications
This project plays a pioneering role in shaping India’s regulatory and operational framework for offshore decommissioning, aligning with the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision. The dismantling operations are currently underway at Chowgule Shipyard’s facilities in Ratnagiri, further strengthening India’s domestic capabilities in offshore and onshore energy infrastructure.
