Many critical factors must be considered in determining the most feasible and appropriate options for decommissioning offshore oil and gas platforms, including alternatives from complete removal to partial removal with artificial reefing. The authors of the complete paper describe how to use multivariable decision analysis to facilitate offshore platform decommissioning. They implement decision analysis as a software tool to clarify and evaluate decommissioning alternatives against a comprehensive set of objectives, including both market and nonmarket values.
Introduction
Recent experience has demonstrated that an effective decommissioning process must include aspects that are inherently difficult to monetize, such as the production of greenhouse gases, gains or losses of ecological services, and regulatory compliance. Differences in stakeholder perspectives regarding the value and importance of nonmarket issues can result in distrust when choices are considered in purely financial terms.
Statement of Definitions
In 2008, a comprehensive policy analysis was commissioned in California to examine the range of decommissioning options and their potential effects.
