Shell, Reliance Industries (RIL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), joint venture partners of Panna-Mukta and Tapti (PMT) hydrocarbon assets, on Monday announced successful exit from the Tapti offshore project.
The de-commissioning followed safe removal of mid and south Tapti field facilities.
The PMT JV, operator of the Tapti fields under a production sharing contract with the government, comprises of ONGC with a 40% participating interest, and RIL and BG Exploration & Production India (BGEPIL-Shell) with 30% each.
The milestone project involved removal of five wellhead platforms,associated infield pipelines, load-in at the onshore dismantling yard and the safe plugging and abandonment of 38 wells—all executed in line with the approved decommissioning plan, a joint statement said.
Production from the Tapti fields ceased in March 2016.
The PMT JV awarded major contracts to Indian companies Larsen and Toubro (L&T) for offshore execution and Chowgule Shipyard for onshore dismantling.
Offshore operations have now been completed safely, and dismantling is underway at CLSPL’s facilities in Ratnagiri, further strengthening India’s domestic capabilities in offshore and onshore energy infrastructure, the joint release said.
Nipun Pradhan, Managing Director, BGEPIL and GM Shell Upstream India, said, “The safe and successful completion of the Tapti offshore project is a landmark moment for India’s offshore energy sector. This project sets a new benchmark for responsible decommissioning, made possible by global expertise, strong collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to safety and sustainability.”
“From the outset, the JV partners worked tirelessly to strengthen local supply chains and enhance the technical and safety capabilities of Indian contractors especially for offshore dismantling activities. This project has successfully delivered on the Indian Government’s ambition of ‘Make and Break in India’,” said Sanjay Barman Roy, President, E&P, Reliance Industries Limited.
Globally, offshore decommissioning is a complex endeavour, often involving evolving regulations, developing contractor ecosystems, and fluctuating market dynamics.
“This first-of-its-kind large-scale offshore decommissioning underscores ONGC’s commitment to responsible energy practices. The project’s complexity, especially its proximity to ONGC’s live assets demanded strategic planning, precise execution, and utmost focus on safety,” said Pankaj Kumar, Director (Production), ONGC.
The Tapti decommissioning project demonstrates what can be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration and serves as a model for environmental responsibility, safety, and efficiency in India’s growing energy transition journey, said the joint release.