70 / 88
ECONOMIC REPORT 2015
70
As operator of the Brent field, Shell is required to
submit a Decommissioning Programme to DECC. The
programme will include detailed recommendations for
closing down and making safe the four platforms and
subsea infrastructure of the Brent field, including 140
wells, comprising over 400 individual well bores. These
recommendations will be the result of over eight years
of engineering studies, including the commissioning of
over 300 separate studies, expert input, consultations
and scientific assessments, including extensive
discussions with stakeholders.
Early stakeholder engagement and research has been
essential, and Shell has carried out a thorough and
transparent process of in-depth consultation with
interested parties, as well as with technical specialists
and experts from across the industry. Since 2007,
Shell has received input from over 180 organisations,
including non-governmental organisations, academics,
local fishermen and community groups, as well as
local and national government, involving over 400
individuals. The company has communicated regularly
through its website, meetings, presentations and
media briefings.
The expertise and input of people from outside of
the project has made a significant contribution to
the recommendations for decommissioning. Their
insights and experience have contributed to the
decision-making. The project team has been, and
continues to be, in dialoguewith a range of organisations
that are affected by and take an interest in the Brent
field’s decommissioning to understand their views.
There has also been extensive work with industry
bodies and technical experts to explore the full range of
options and test the recommendations.
To ensure the validity of the science, an independent
group of externally appointed experts and scientists,
called the Independent Review Group (IRG) was set up
in 2006 at the outset of the project. Its role is to review
objectively all the scientific and engineering methods
that have been used to assess the decommissioning
options and verify that they are based on sound science.
The project has responded to around 3,000 review
comments from the IRG since its work began. The IRG
panel is chaired by Professor John Shepherd, a professor
of oceanography at the University of Southampton,
who also sits on the UK Government’s climate change
Brent field