Brent Spar Disposal Costs Skyrocket

Shell UK Exploration and Production said the final cost of a four-year project to decommission its controversial Brent Spar oil buoy had risen sharply. Shell officials reported that instead of resulting in a projected net gain in energy the project had resulted in a net energy deficit. Dismantling costs had increased to 41 million pounds from an original estimate of 21.5 million stg for the rig, which is being converted into a quay at Mekjarvik, near Stavanger. The project took 330,000 man hours to complete and resulted in no injury to personnel. There was also reportedly no sea pollution resulting from the dismantling operation.