The collective will change how subsea infrastructure decommissioning is planned and executed
Boskalis Subsea Services, a subsea provider of decommissioning, IRM, and construction solutions, has launched a new collaborative delivery model, ‘The Decommissioning Collective’, developed to change how subsea infrastructure decommissioning is planned and executed in the North Sea
The new model represents a shift away from fragmented, project-by-project contracting, allowing operators to plan and deliver decommissioning activity within a shared framework. Created by Boskalis Subsea Services and shaped through engagement with operators, the approach is focused on improved alignment, efficiency and value across sustained programmes of work.
Expanding on over two decades of subsea decommissioning experience, Boskalis Subsea Services developed the Decommissioning Collective to address one of the industry’s most persistent challenges: inefficiencies driven by isolated schedules, differing standards, and short-term decision-making. The Decommissioning Collective enables participating operators to align around common ways of working, standardised procedures and coordinated planning.
Stuart Cameron, managing director of Boskalis Subsea Services, said, “The scale and complexity of decommissioning in the North Sea means the traditional, project-by-project approach no longer delivers the best outcomes. The Decommissioning Collective responds to that challenge by aligning operators around common ways of working and a programme-based delivery model, improving efficiency, cost certainty and predictability across decommissioning activity.”
The Decommissioning Collective has been established with the participation of three companies, including Harbour Energy, which worked closely with Boskalis Subsea Services on decommissioning programmes in the North Sea.
Maurice Thomson, senior vice president of Technical Services at Harbour Energy, said, “Decommissioning in the North Sea demands long-term thinking, disciplined delivery and the kind of alignment that drives better outcomes for everyone. The Decommissioning Collective reflects that shift. By bringing operators together around shared standards and coordinated planning, it helps create the efficiency, predictability, and continued safety focus that this basin needs.-term thinking, disciplined delivery and the kind of alignment that drives better outcomes for everyone. The Decommissioning Collective reflects that shift. By bringing operators together around shared standards and coordinated planning, it helps create the efficiency, predictability, and continued safety focus that this basin needs. For Harbour, it strengthens our ability to steward our assets safely, responsibly and ensuring that risk is reduced at every stage and that people, the environment remain protected.”
The model is supported by Boskalis Subsea Services’ investment in UK subsea capability, including diving, remote operations, and decommissioning resources, as well as the continued development of its Remote Operations Centre, reinforcing offshore support and operational assurance.
With three companies already planning their decommissioning activity through the Decommissioning Collective, which could amount to 3,000 days of work over the next decade, the model is reflecting the value of collaboration and partnership, as well as strengthening Boskalis Subsea Services’ commitment to the North Sea as a centre for offshore activity, investment and skills development.
