Shell, RIL, ONGC complete India’s first offshore facilities decommissioning project

Panna-Mukta and Tapti (PMT) oil fields joint venture partners – Shell (through BGEPIL), Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) said they had successfully completed India’s first offshore facilities decommissioning project with the safe removal of mid and south Tapti field facilities.

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. 

As per the Government of India norms major contracts were awarded to Indian companies Larsen and Toubro (L&T) for offshore execution and Chowgule Shipyard (CLSPL) 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 JV partners said.

“Production from the Tapti fields ceased in March 2016, and this project demonstrates a high level of planning, coordination, and compliance with regulatory frameworks while upholding the highest safety and environmental standards,” the JV partners said. 

Nipun Pradhan, Managing Director, BGEPIL and GM Shell Upstream India, said, “This project sets a new benchmark for responsible decommissioning, made possible by global expertise, strong collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to safety and sustainability.”

“The safe and responsible offshore decommissioning by the PMT JV marks a significant step forward for India’s energy sector. 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,” said Sanjay Barman Roy, President, E&P, RIL. 

Pankaj Kumar, Director (Production), ONGC, said, “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. It marks a defining moment in India’s energy landscape and sets a strong foundation for the next chapter in offshore infrastructure transformation.”

Globally, offshore decommissioning is a complex endeavour, often involving evolving regulations, developing contractor ecosystems, and fluctuating market dynamics.