Environmental considerations in decommissioning offshore oil and gas installations in the gulf of Thailand | |
| Author | Youwalak Petcharuttana |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.EV-02-11 |
| Subject(s) | Drilling platforms--Decommissioning--Thailand, Gulf of Offshore structures--Thailand, Gulf of |
| Note | A research study submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Executive), School of Envirornnent, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Research studies project report ; no. EV-02-11 |
| Abstract | A number of offshore oil and gas production facilities in the Gulf of Thailand are nearing the end of their economic field life and decisions must be made regarding their disposition. The decommissioning decision-making process has begun to stimulate debate among industry, the scientific community, envirom11ental groups, government agencies, and commercial fishermen. Economic and scientific questions have not yet been answered about the potential enviromnental and social impacts associated with the various decommissioning alternatives that may be appropriate for the Gulf of Thailand. The choices that have been made previously in other parts of the world (the N01ih Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and offshore California) and the rationale for those choices are identified. In the Gulf of Thailand, the first decommissioning of offshore gas production structures is expected to begin in the middle of the next decade. Using detailed information from Unocal Thailand's operations, the costs of different decommissioning options are estimated and the potential enviromnental effects of each option are described. Based on the international experience and the potential environmental impacts and costs, recommendations as to the most appropriate decommissioning options for existing facilities are made. In addition, appropriate changes required in the existing regulatory framework and the development of a Code of Practice for Decommissioning Offshore Structures are recommended. Regulatory changes will ensure that decommissioning issues are addressed in the planning effort for new oil and gas projects. |
| Year | 2002 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. EV-02-11 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Nguyen Cong Thanh |
| Examination Committee(s) | Samorn Muttamara; Thammarat Koottatep |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Unocal Thailand, Ltd.; Asian Institute of Teclmology |
| Degree | Research report (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2002 |