Offshore Platform Decommissioning Course
This course prepares you to understand and plan the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas platforms and, increasingly, of offshore energy structures. You will work through the methods, logistics, cost estimation and environmental requirements involved in a decommissioning project.
Prior knowledge check
These are the skills this programme gives you. Tick the ones you already master and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is for you.
You are starting from scratch in this subject. The programme is designed precisely for that.
What is the Offshore Platform Decommissioning Course?
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.
Syllabus of the Offshore Platform Decommissioning Course
5 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Context and Regulatory Framework
- 1.1. Life cycle of offshore installations
- 1.2. UNCLOS and IMO guidelines
- 1.3. Regional conventions such as OSPAR
- 1.4. Operator responsibilities
- 1.5. Financial guarantees
Planning and Assessment of Alternatives
- 2.1. Installation inventory
- 2.2. Full and partial removal
- 2.3. Reuse and repurposing
- 2.4. Comparative multi-criteria analysis
- 2.5. Stakeholder consultation
Decommissioning Operations
- 3.1. Well plugging and abandonment
- 3.2. Cleaning of equipment and hydrocarbons
- 3.3. Subsea cutting techniques
- 3.4. Heavy lifting and piece-small removal
- 3.5. Subsea pipelines and cables
Waste, Recycling and the Environment
- 4.1. Onshore dismantling
- 4.2. Hazardous materials
- 4.3. Recycling of steel and other materials
- 4.4. Environmental impact assessment
- 4.5. Post-decommissioning seabed monitoring
Costs, Safety and Case Study
- 5.1. Cost estimation
- 5.2. Health and safety in operations
- 5.3. Decommissioning of offshore wind farms
- 5.4. Lessons from completed projects
- 5.5. Case study: decommissioning programme for a typical platform
Duration and format of the Offshore Platform Decommissioning Course
It is 300 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives of the Offshore Platform Decommissioning Course
Career opportunities after the Offshore Platform Decommissioning Course
Questions about the Offshore Platform Decommissioning Course
No. It also covers the decommissioning of offshore wind and other renewable energy installations.
It depends on the applicable framework and the case; the course explains when exceptions are considered and how they are assessed.
Yes, as one of the alternatives under debate, with the arguments for and against.
It is not essential; the basic elements of an offshore installation are explained.
A decommissioning programme for a typical platform, covering alternatives, operations, waste and costs.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme has a workload of 300 hours. You can progress at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, which is shown on this page and confirmed by the admissions team when you request information.
More programmes in Marine energy
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
- 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.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
Ask us before you enrol
Leave your details and admissions will write to you to answer any questions. If you are already sure, you can apply and pay in the same session.