Management of Chiswick Walk to Work Vessel Campaign During Annual Shutdown

Client: Spirit Energy

Service Provider: NMC Energy

Project: Management of Walk to Work Vessel Activities and Brownfield Modifications

Location: Chiswick Platform (normally unmanned installation), J6A Hub

NMC Energy was engaged to take a leadership role in managing the Chiswick Walk to Work (W2W) vessel campaign during the critical annual shutdown at the J6A Hub. The project involved integrating and managing multiple scopes, including pigging operations, manifold replacement, and maintenance activities on a complex, small, normally unmanned installation (NUI). The work was carried out during challenging weather conditions, requiring 24/7 operations. NMC Energy ensured the successful execution of the project, delivering it safely, on time, and within budget.

NMC Energy’s responsibilities for the Chiswick W2W vessel campaign included:

Management and Project Controls of Walk to Work Vessel:

• NMC Energy assumed full responsibility for managing the Walk to Work vessel activities during the J6A hub shutdown. This involved daily planning and coordination of offshore logistics, ensuring smooth crew transfers, and supporting operations on the normally unmanned installation (NUI).
• The team implemented robust project controls to monitor progress and ensure alignment with the project schedule, addressing any deviations promptly.

Work Scopes Integration and 24/7 Operations Management:

• NMC Energy integrated multiple work scopes, including pigging, manifold replacement, and critical maintenance activities. The integration was crucial given the Chiswick platform’s role as the largest producing asset in the field.
• The project required 24/7 operations, with NMC Energy managing day and night shifts to maintain continuous progress. This involved close collaboration with offshore teams to ensure safe and efficient execution of each scope.

Collaboration with Senior Management and Management of Change (MOC):

• Given the complexity of the shutdown, NMC Energy worked closely with the senior management team, following strict Management of Change (MOC) protocols. The MOC process ensured that any adjustments to the work scope were carefully evaluated to prevent disruptions to production.
• NMC Energy’s leadership was essential in maintaining the focus on safety and production continuity throughout the shutdown period.

Procurement, Construction, and Materials Management:

• NMC Energy was responsible for the procurement of materials, construction planning, and the management of all logistics related to material handling and delivery to the platform.
• The team ensured timely delivery of materials and coordinated construction activities, reducing potential delays and ensuring alignment with the project’s tight schedule.

Planning and Supervising Offshore Activities:

• In coordination with the Offshore Installation Manager (OIM) and offshore operations team, NMC Energy planned and supervised all offshore activities, ensuring that work was executed safely and in compliance with HSE standards.
• The team’s planning minimized downtime and optimized resource use during the shutdown, contributing to the project’s success.

Disconnection of Wellheads and Manifold Replacement:

• A key task involved the disconnection of wellheads from the topsides manifold by removing the wellhead flowlines. NMC Energy supervised these operations, ensuring that the disconnection and subsequent manifold replacement were carried out safely.
• The wellhead preparation and maintenance work were critical components of the project, which NMC Energy managed with precision and attention to detail.

As-Building and Handover to Operations:

• NMC Energy oversaw the as-building process, ensuring that all modifications and updates to the platform were accurately documented.
• After the successful completion of the work, NMC Energy managed the handover of the platform to the operations team, ensuring that all systems were tested, verified, and ready for production restart.

Project Close-Out:

• The final phase involved closing out the project, ensuring that all documentation was completed, and lessons learned were captured. NMC Energy provided comprehensive reports to the client, confirming that the project was delivered within budget and met all technical, safety, and operational requirements.

Complexity of the Normally Unmanned Installation (NUI):

• The Chiswick platform is a small, normally unmanned installation, making the integration of multiple scopes and continuous operations more complex. NMC Energy’s careful planning and coordination ensured that all activities were conducted efficiently despite the limited space and infrastructure.

Challenging Weather Conditions:

• The project took place during a season of challenging weather, which affected the safety and logistics of offshore operations. NMC Energy managed to mitigate weather-related risks through proactive planning and flexible scheduling.

Critical Production Asset:

• Chiswick is the largest producing asset in the field, making it essential to minimize downtime and ensure a smooth restart of production. NMC Energy worked under tight deadlines and implemented a rigorous Management of Change (MOC) process to maintain safety and production goals.

• Safe and On-Budget Execution: Despite the complex nature of the platform and the tough weather conditions, NMC Energy delivered the project safely and on budget, adhering to strict HSE and quality standards throughout.
• Efficient 24/7 Operations: NMC Energy managed 24/7 operations with day and night shifts to ensure continuous progress. The team’s careful supervision of work scopes led to timely completion, with minimal disruptions.
• Seamless Work Scope Integration: The integration of multiple work scopes, including pigging, manifold replacement, and maintenance, was critical to the project’s success. NMC Energy ensured that all activities were aligned and completed efficiently without any safety incidents.
• Successful Wellhead Disconnection and Manifold Replacement: The complex task of wellhead disconnection and manifold replacement was executed flawlessly, ensuring a safe and smooth transition for production restart.

NMC Energy’s leadership in managing the Chiswick Walk to Work vessel campaign during the annual shutdown exemplifies its ability to handle complex offshore projects under challenging conditions. Through careful integration of work scopes, 24/7 operations management, and close collaboration with senior management and offshore teams, NMC Energy delivered a successful project, ensuring the safe, on-time, and on-budget execution of critical brownfield modifications. This case study highlights NMC Energy’s expertise in offshore project management and its ability to meet client expectations in high-stakes environments.