Removals completed of offshore Malaysia South Angsi Alpha platform, wellhead facility
Marine Masters has completed an offshore decommissioning work scope for the South Angsi Alpha (SAA) platform offshore Malaysia, operated by Hibiscus Oil & Gas Malaysia Ltd.
The campaign marks a major milestone in the repurposing of retired offshore infrastructure, with the platform’s substructure now resting on the seabed as part of Malaysia’s largest rig-to-reef project.
SAA, situated 130 km from the Terengganu coast, was a 4,000-metric-ton four-legged mobile offshore application barge (MOAB), which served as a production platform for more than 15 years.
Following cessation of production, the topside and substructure underwent preparations for removal and partial reefing in compliance with Malaysia’s regulatory approvals process.
According to Marine Masters, it was also the largest platform decommissioned/repurposing/reefing program offshore Malaysia to date.
The company was tasked with removal of the MOAB via a combination of the reversed installation method and removal of various associated components for subsequent disposal onshore.
Following severing of the jacket at -55 m LAT and vertical separation, the sections were laid on the seafloor to serve as artificial reef structures for Malaysia’s largest rig-to-reef project. In addition, Marine Masters recovered all 13 conductors, the four MOAB support legs, and performed cutting and transport of the wellhead access platform.
The company said it deployed various techniques and special procedures for remotely operated underwater cutting, assisted by ROVs; high-speed PVL hand cutting, using divers; personnel transfer arrangements between the work barge and the MOAB; and specially designed lifting systems to avoid the need for costlier heavy-lift vessels.
Following transportation, the MOAB topside has since been skidded to shore at Labuan Shipyard, and all loose items offloaded. The ENA WB400 accommodation work barge has been demobilized and the two transport barges are heading to their respective demobilization ports.
This marks the conclusion of Marine Masters’ active offshore operations on the project. Although the offshore scope is complete, the project continues with the final handling and disposal of the topside components. The South Angsi Alpha campaign stands as the largest decommissioning and reefing operation of its kind in Malaysian waters.
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