Overview of a Decommissioning Programme Online Course
This online course walks through the structure and content of a decommissioning programme — the key document that governs how an offshore asset is decommissioned in the UK. Taught by Gareth Jones, Decommissioning Manager at Xodus, a consultancy that supports over 60% of UK decommissioning projects, this module covers everything from the materials inventory and comparative assessment to environmental statements, cost, and schedule.
What You'll Learn in This Online Course
- The step-by-step process for submitting a decommissioning programme in the UK — from cessation of production (NSTA) through to OPRED approval
- What a materials inventory is and why it is the backbone of any decommissioning programme
- The seven-stage comparative assessment process for evaluating full removal, partial removal, or leave-in-situ options for subsea infrastructure
- How to assess and describe environmental impacts in the Environmental Statement — from seabed footprint to marine environment effects
- How costs and schedules are framed within the programme and why robust cost estimates are essential at the point of submission
Where This Fits in Offshore Decommissioning
The decommissioning programme is the central document that ties together every phase of an offshore decommissioning project. Understanding how it is structured, what it must contain, and how it is approved is essential for anyone involved in late-life planning, project management, or regulatory compliance.
Taught by Industry Expert
Gareth Jones
Gareth Jones is a Decommissioning Manager at Xodus, an engineering and environmental consultancy that has supported over 60% of UK decommissioning projects in each of the last three years. He is also Chair of the Trade Association for Decommissioning. He brings deep practical experience in building and submitting decommissioning programmes across a wide range of offshore assets.
Part of the Lean Decom Decommissioning Training Course
This online course is one module within the Lean Decom Decommissioning Training Course — a structured, expert-led system covering the full offshore decommissioning lifecycle. The decommissioning programme module connects directly to the regulatory, WBS, and environmental modules throughout the course.
Why This Online Course Matters
Regulatory Approval
The decommissioning programme must be approved by the Secretary of State before any execution work begins
Accuracy
The materials inventory must reflect the actual state of the asset at the point of decommissioning, not the original design
Options
The comparative assessment process determines the legally acceptable decommissioning method for each element of subsea infrastructure
Cost Control
Robust cost estimates at submission stage set the benchmark for the entire project
Related Online Courses
An Introduction to UK Decommissioning Regulations and the Regulator
An Introduction to the Decommissioning Work Breakdown Structure
Decommissioning Overview | Thistle and Heather Case Study
Online Course Overview
| Topic | Decommissioning Programme |
| Industry | Offshore Oil & Gas Decommissioning |
| Instructor | Gareth Jones, Xodus |
| Part of | Lean Decom Decommissioning Training Course |