Rig Decommissioned in Gomez Field

Acteon company InterMoor completed decommissioning operations of the Innovator platform in the Gulf of Mexico’s Gomez field, Mississippi Canyon Block 711.

Conducted in water depths of 910 meters, the scope of work involved disconnecting 10 risers/umbilicals; disconnecting 12 mooring lines and then towing the Innovator to Ingleside, Texas. InterMoor said it developed special procedures for disconnection and towing, procured rigging and tow equipment for all vessels including the Anchor Handling Vessel (AHV), FPU and tug vessels, and provided personnel for the AHV and FPU throughout all phases of operations.

InterMoor said its involvement with the Innovator platform dates prior to 2006 when it was a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) known as the Rowan Midland. At that time, the MODU was being converted by ATP to a production platform, and InterMoor provided the mooring design, project management, procurement, installation and hook-up of the mooring system. The 12-leg mooring system consisted of suction embedded plate anchors (SEPLA), stud link chain, subsea connectors and polyester mooring ropes. This was the third permanent polyester mooring system installed in the Gulf of Mexico and the first permanent SEPLA mooring.

In 2011, InterMoor provided mooring line inspection, changed out all rig wires and upgraded five of the mooring legs due to new Metocean regulations and possible life extension. InterMoor also performed the upgraded mooring analyses, provided regulatory interface and procured the upgrade mooring components.

InterMoor president Tom Fulton credits part of the company’s success in the decommissioning program to the understanding of the Innovator platform’s mooring system that InterMoor gained during the operations in 2006 and 2011.

“The successful decommissioning of the Innovator proves InterMoor’s technical and operational capabilities for complete floating platform decommissioning in deep water,” Fulton said. “At a time when many operators are looking at life-of-field solutions, we are proud to have played a role at crucial times throughout the development and decommissioning of this offshore asset.”