Decom Engineering was commissioned by Allseas to design and deliver a cutting solution tailored specifically for the decommissioning of steel conductors at the Brent Charlie platform in the North Sea. This project involved cutting through 30” OD steel conductors, which  containedinternal flexi pipelines of 20” and 23” OD, presenting a significant challenge due to the conductor’s complex internal structure and angled positioning.

The custom-designed C1-32-101 Chop Saw was created specifically for this project, ensuring it could handle the demanding conditions and execute the nine required cuts with precision. The conductors were located at depths ranging from -15m to -60m, and the task was further complicated by the failure of one conductor, which was angled at 30 degrees, making it impossible for standard tools to perform the cut.

Decom’s C1-32-101 Chop Saw was engineered specifically for this project on behalf of Allseas, incorporating features that allowed it to overcome the unique challenges posed by the conductor decommissioning.

The need to cut below the conductor guideframes meant that the vessel crane couldn’t be used for direct deployment, so the saw had to be neutrally buoyant and flown into position by a single ROV. Once in place, the C1-32-101 handled the task with precision, completing each cut in approximately one hour.

The saw’s specialized design enabled it to cut through the challenging combination of steel and internal flexi pipelines, an issue that had caused other tools to fail. The ROV-assisted removal further facilitated smooth operation, ensuring the cuts were executed safely and efficiently.