India&rsquo;s energy sector has marked a major milestone with the successful completion of the country&rsquo;s first offshore facilities decommissioning project. The Panna-Mukta and Tapti (PMT) joint venture partners&mdash;Shell, through BG Exploration &amp; Production India Ltd (BGEPIL), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)&mdash;have concluded the safe removal of offshore infrastructure from the mid and south Tapti fields, according to an official statement on Tuesday.&nbsp;
The PMT joint venture operated the Tapti fields under a production sharing contract with the Central government. ONGC held a 40% participating interest, while BGEPIL-Shell and RIL each held 30%.
The project involved the removal of five wellhead platforms, infield pipelines, and the load-in of these structures at an onshore dismantling yard.&nbsp;
It also included the safe plugging and abandonment of 38 wells. All activities were carried out in accordance with the approved decommissioning plan. Production at the Tapti fields ceased in March 2016. The statement highlighted that the project was executed with a high level of planning, coordination, and regulatory compliance, maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental care.
In alignment with the &lsquo;Make in India&rsquo; initiative, major contracts for the project were awarded to Indian companies.&nbsp;
Sanjay Barman Roy, President, Exploration and Production, Reliance Industries Limited, said, &ldquo;The safe and responsible offshore decommissioning by the PMT JV marks a significant step forward for India&rsquo;s energy sector. From the outset, the JV partners worked tirelessly to strengthen local supply chains and enhance the technical and safety capabilities of Indian contractors especially for offshore dismantling activities. This project has successfully delivered on the Indian Government&rsquo;s ambition of &lsquo;Make and Break in India&rsquo;.&rdquo;
Larsen and Toubro (L&amp;T) was responsible for offshore execution, while Chowgule Shipyard Private Limited (CLSPL) was tasked with onshore dismantling. &ldquo;Offshore operations have been completed safely, and dismantling work is currently in progress at CLSPL&rsquo;s facilities in Ratnagiri, contributing to the strengthening of India&rsquo;s domestic capacity in offshore and onshore energy infrastructure,&rdquo; the statement read.&nbsp;
The Tapti decommissioning project also played a key role in the development of India&rsquo;s regulatory and operational framework for offshore decommissioning.&nbsp;
This framework was created in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), and the Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD). The project has established a benchmark for future offshore energy transition efforts, incorporating global best practices tailored to Indian conditions.
Nipun Pradhan, Managing Director of BGEPIL and General Manager of Shell Upstream India, said, &ldquo;The safe and successful completion of the Tapti offshore project is a landmark moment for India&rsquo;s offshore energy sector. This project sets a new benchmark for responsible decommissioning, made possible by global expertise, strong collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to safety and sustainability. Shell is proud to be part of this historic journey alongside our partners Reliance, ONGC, and the Government of India.&rdquo;
Sanjay Barman Roy, President, Exploration and Production, Reliance Industries Limited, said, &ldquo;The safe and responsible offshore decommissioning by the PMT JV marks a significant step forward for India&rsquo;s energy sector. From the outset, the JV partners worked tirelessly to strengthen local supply chains and enhance the technical and safety capabilities of Indian contractors especially for offshore dismantling activities. This project has successfully delivered on the Indian Government&rsquo;s ambition of &lsquo;Make and Break in India&rsquo;.&rdquo;
Pankaj Kumar, Director (Production), ONGC, said, &ldquo;This first-of-its-kind large-scale offshore decommissioning underscores ONGC&rsquo;s commitment to responsible energy practices. The project&rsquo;s complexity, especially its proximity to ONGC&rsquo;s live assets demanded strategic planning, precise execution, and utmost focus on safety. It marks a defining moment in India&rsquo;s energy landscape and sets a strong foundation for the next chapter in offshore infrastructure transformation.&rdquo;
Globally, offshore decommissioning is recognised as a complex process, often impacted by changing regulations, evolving contractor ecosystems, and fluctuating market dynamics.
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India’s PMT JV completes landmark offshore decommissioning of Tapti fields, setting new industry standards

India Completes First Offshore Decommissioning Project

India’s PMT JV completes landmark offshore decommissioning of Tapti fields, setting new industry standards

May 6, 2025 | 17:54 IST