Offshore Staff

(US, GoM) – Nexen plans to topple and deploy its Vermilion block 340 Platform JA as an artificial reef in South Marsh Island block 146.

The platform will be decommissioned in four phases: deck removal, well P&A, pipeline P&A, and cutting of the jacket's piles 15 ft below the mudline. The deck will be transported to shore and the jacket will be set at the designated reef site in around 240 ft of water.

According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, work to reef the platform will begin by the end of June.

Nexen's JA platform was damaged by Hurricane Rita in 2005.

06/15/06