Offshore Platform Decommissioning Course

What is this programme?

This short course prepares you to understand and plan the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas platforms and, increasingly, of offshore renewable energy installations. It covers the international regulatory framework, the evaluation of alternatives, well plugging and abandonment, cutting and removal techniques, waste management and recycling, and environmental assessment, all approached from a project perspective that integrates safety, costs and stakeholders.

What sets this course apart: a growing sector, as many offshore installations are approaching the end of their service life; a complete view that spans regulation, engineering, the environment and costs; real techniques for cutting, lifting, removal and transport to shore; circular economy principles for the reuse and recycling of materials; and a practical case in which you prepare a decommissioning programme for a typical platform.

Programme highlights

• Regulation: understand the international and regional framework for decommissioning.
• Alternatives: compare full removal, partial removal and reuse.
• Planning: learn the cutting and heavy-lift techniques used in removal operations.
• Waste: apply recycling and circular economy criteria.
• Career: access roles with operators, offshore contractors and environmental consultancies.
• End of life: train to close the life cycle of offshore installations safely and responsibly.

Study plan

Duration and format

At 10 hours a week you would finish in about 30 weeks; at 20 hours a week, in about 15.

What you will learn

• Understand the context.
• Apply the regulatory framework.
• Evaluate alternatives.
• Plan the operations.
• Manage waste.
• Assess impacts.

Career outcomes

• Decommissioning project technician.
• Offshore environmental consultant.
• Industrial waste management technician.
• End-of-life cost analyst.

Entry requirements

• Profile: a technical or higher-education background in engineering, environmental sciences, marine sciences or a related field, or experience in the offshore or energy sector.
• Language: sufficient command of the language of instruction to follow the classes; basic technical English is recommended.
• Technical resources: a computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a camera for live sessions.
• Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.

How to enrol