Well-Safe Solutions Wins Beryl Decommissioning Contract in North Sea

Well-Safe Solutions has been appointed lead contractor for Apache North Sea's Beryl Field decommissioning project, adding to its earlier award for the Forties Field. The combined scope now exceeds 260 wells, making it one of the largest well decommissioning contracts awarded in the North Sea to date. The project brings together several specialist contractors under an integrated model, with well operations due to begin on the Beryl Bravo platform this summer and subsea decommissioning scheduled to start in 2027.

 

Details of the New Contract

 

Well-Safe Solutions has secured the role of lead contractor for the Beryl Field decommissioning. The appointment comes from Apache North Sea, an oil and natural gas exploration and production company. This marks the second contract Apache has awarded to Well-Safe Solutions this year. The company is already working on the decommissioning of Apache's Forties Field. The two awards together represent a significant commitment from the operator.

The addition of the Beryl project substantially expands the overall scope of work. The combined programme now covers more than 260 wells across both fields. This makes it one of the largest well decommissioning contracts awarded in the North Sea to date. The scale of the work reflects the extensive infrastructure associated with these mature assets. It positions the programme as a major undertaking within the regional decommissioning market.

 

The Integrated Contractor Model

 

Well-Safe Solutions has assembled a team of specialist contractors to deliver the project. It has contracted platform-based drilling services and specialist technical solutions to Archer. Archer will provide well services solutions, wireline and coiled tubing, and a Compact Workover Rig. This brings dedicated well intervention expertise into the programme. The arrangement ensures the necessary technical capabilities are in place for the well operations.

The integrated approach extends to topside and commissioning work as well. Well-Safe Solutions has awarded a contract to NMC Energy for integration and commissioning services. NMC Energy will also provide topside decommissioning services for the project. This collaborative structure gives Apache a fully integrated solution for the work. It covers the decommissioning of both platform and subsea wells across the Forties and Beryl fields.

 

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Project Timeline and Phasing

 

Work on the project has already begun in its preparatory stages. Preparatory activity is under way on the subsurface, well engineering and project management scopes. This early work lays the groundwork for the offshore operations to follow. Well operations are due to commence on the Beryl Bravo platform wells in the summer. This marks the start of the active offshore phase of the programme.

The project is structured as a multi-year programme of work. Subsea well decommissioning operations are scheduled to begin in 2027. This phasing separates the initial platform well work from the later subsea activity. Spreading the work across several years reflects the complexity and scale involved. The staged timeline allows the integrated team to sequence the operations methodically.

 

Significance for North Sea Decommissioning

 

The project is presented as a model for comprehensive decommissioning in the region. Well-Safe Solutions leadership described Apache's commitment to full-scale decommissioning as unmatched by other operators. The company praised Apache's proactive approach to the work. It suggested this should be seen as a model for future decommissioning activity in the North Sea. This framing positions the programme as a benchmark for the sector.

Apache has characterised the Beryl addition as a significant milestone in its decommissioning journey. Company leadership noted that the Forties and Beryl projects together form one of the largest well decommissioning programmes in the region. Both fields are described as iconic North Sea assets central to the UK's energy history. Apache stressed that delivering a programme of this scale depends on a strong, integrated team. Bringing together the contractors as one team is intended to combine complementary expertise for safe and efficient execution.