Contract Completion for Gryphon Alpha FPSO

DeepOcean is nearing completion of a contract awarded by TotalEnergies for the disconnection and tow of the Gryphon Alpha FPSO, along with the removal of associated subsea infrastructure. The workscope involved flushing subsea pipelines and manifolds, disconnecting flowlines and umbilicals from trees, removing risers and midwater arches, and recovering FPSO moorings. Once disconnected, DeepOcean will also manage the towing of the FPSO.

Asset History and Decommissioning

The Gryphon Alpha is the UK North Sea's first purpose-built FPSO, originally commissioned by operator Kerr McGee. The asset was later acquired by Maersk Oil and subsequently by TotalEnergies through its 2018 merger. TotalEnergies permanently ceased production from the Gryphon Alpha FPSO at the end of last year.

Project Significance and Methodology

DeepOcean's managing director for the UK described this project as a standout achievement, highlighting that bespoke tooling enabled the entire scope to be performed using diverless methodologies, which produced exemplary outcomes. The project is nearing completion, with the recovery of mooring chains and removal of risers and midwater arches scheduled to be finished before year-end.

Field Performance and Legacy

The Gryphon field initially had an expected lifespan of just 10 years but significantly exceeded expectations by producing more than 250 million barrels of oil equivalent over three decades of operation.