Fossil Energy – Decommissioning
WellGear has announced a collaboration with Dutch operator, NAM BV Assen and engineering consultancy, Arcadis, to decommission 800 wells across 350 gas extraction sites throughout the Netherlands and to restore these sites to their original state.
The overall project is estimated to take 10 – 15 years to complete.
WellGear’s workscope is to permanently plug and abandonment (P&A) the 800 wells, drawing upon its extensive knowledge, experience and successful track-record in the Netherlands and internationally.
Arcadis’ workscope is to return the gas extraction sites to their original state. The goal of the new collaboration is to safely and efficiently execute the project while minimising any impact to the environment.
Commenting on the landmark contract award, WellGear CEO Sigo Tjeerdsma said: “In this extensive programme, various areas of expertise from NAM, Arcadis, and WellGear come together. We will organise the execution in consultation with stakeholders and interested parties from the region; this element of the programme is something that greatly appeals to us.”
NAM Director Johan Atema said: “Just like our gas and oil extraction, the cleanup of wells and sites should be done safely and with minimal inconvenience to the surroundings. Additionally, this is an activity that will be necessary not only in the Netherlands but worldwide in the coming decades. As a company from the northern Netherlands, we are happy to contribute to the development of regional knowledge and employment together with WellGear and Arcadis.”
