Decommissioning project
About the L7 field
Since the early 1970s, TotalEnergies has been a pioneer in offshore developments in the Dutch North Sea. As one of the first large offshore gas fields on the Dutch continental shelf, the L7 field served for many years as a flagship asset and training ground for generations of offshore workers. However, after more than 40 years of production, the field's shutdown has provided the Company with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in organizing offshore decommissioning and preparing for the future.
L7 Site Restitution project
The L7 field ceased production and was subsequently pre-abandoned. The aim of that operation was to bring the facilities to a safe and inert state, requiring only minimal site visits over a period of several years. To complete the final chapter of the L7 field's lifecycle, the L7 Site Restitution project was launched to safely remove offshore facilities, restore the seabed, and prepare the area for future use.
The project covers the removal of all L7 field platforms, including topsides and jackets, as well as the L4B platform. The only exception is the L7B jacket, which will remain in place for potential future reuse in a COâ‚‚ storage project. As part of the site restitution scope, subsea infrastructure is being removed and any remaining visible structures in the immediate vicinity of the platforms are being properly covered. The objective is to remediate the seabed and return the area to a condition suitable for license closure.
What does the project entail?
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The complete removal of 10 production platforms in the North Sea. Â
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The remediation of the L7 seabed for license retrieval.
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A minimal environmental impact, with a recycling target of 97%.
The L7 Site Restitution project fully aligns with TotalEnergies' policy to avoid, reduce and, where necessary, offset the environmental impact of its operations. This includes implementing measures to protect air, water and soil, while promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. The project aims to achieve an overall recycling rate of more than 97%. The remaining share, primarily related to the complex treatment of hazardous materials, is being addressed through innovative solutions for asbestos, NORM, and mercury-contaminated steel.
For the offshore preparation and removal campaigns, the focus has been on achieving the right balance between operational efficiency and low emissions from the marine spread. By selecting a jack-up vessel for all preparatory work and a towed sheerleg for topside and jacket removal, the project team has worked to minimize the project's overall environmental footprint.
