Offshore Platform and Access Solution

Lir has access to two patents: for an innovative offshore platform and for an associated access design. In combination, these patents cover an offshore platform solution which can be deployed at stacked play target locations, as shown in the following illustration:

This solution will deliver the following benefits:

  • Self-installing, self-levelling and self-piling capabilities means that there is no requirement for high-cost installation vessels.
  • Drilling operations replicate those onshore to deliver well costs comparable to onshore costs.
  • The platform is designed to be unmanned during normal operation but incorporates a “walk to work” capability to support drilling, commissioning, campaign interventions and abandonment. This flexible approach significantly reduces operational expenditure.
  • The operational design includes a facility for safe vessel access meaning there is no requirement for facilities to be supported by helicopter operations. Importantly, this capability, in addition to reducing costs, means that the platform can be deployed within offshore wind farms.

Multiple deployment of these platforms, by Lir Resources in the EIS and SNS Basins, will confirm that the UKCS has the scale to continue as major source of indigenous gas, thus reducing the UK’s dependency on imports.