Astrimar recognised for Excellence in Decommissioning in OEUK awards
Dr. Caroline Roberts-Haritonov was delighted to represent Astrimar at the OEUK Offshore Decommissioning Conference, where Astrimar were finalists in the Supply Chain category of the OEUK Award for Excellence in Decommissioning. We are delighted to be recognised for the work we have carried out over a number of years, helping multiple different operators, service providers, technology developers and industry bodies, develop safe and reliable strategies for decommissioning.
Over the past 12 years, Astrimar has become a key player in transforming the approach to well Plug and Abandonment (P&A), with a strong focus on risk-based strategies and the qualification/adoption of novel well barrier technologies. Recognising that well P&A is the largest cost driver in decommissioning, Astrimar identified a critical challenge early on: despite significant investment in the development of innovative barrier technologies, widespread industry adoption remained limited due to uncertainty around their long-term reliability and performance.
To bridge this gap, Astrimar has dedicated itself to supporting technology developers and operators by building confidence in the qualification and deployment of these novel solutions. The company has developed industry-leading best practices for well barrier technology qualification, aligned with international standards but tailored specifically to the unique requirements of P&A. These practices are not only technical guidelines but also provide a structured approach to demonstrating performance, risk mitigation, and long-term integrity assurance.
A key milestone in Astrimar’s journey came in 2023, with the launch of a collaborative project for the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC) and the Well Decommissioning Collaboration—a group of seven international operators. The goal was to create a unified, simplified framework for qualifying novel well barrier technologies. This framework provides a consistent “common language” that helps operators and regulators more easily assess a technology’s readiness for use in specific well environments, streamlining approvals and encouraging broader adoption.
One of the framework’s unique innovations is its adaptation of the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) model specifically for well barrier applications. Unlike conventional technologies, many well barriers only gain their mechanical and sealing properties once installed and are expected to perform for hundreds or even thousands of years. Astrimar's TRL adaptation acknowledges these complexities and sets more relevant benchmarks for technology readiness, safety, and performance.
The development process was highly collaborative, incorporating feedback and insights from multiple stakeholders across different global regulatory environments, including the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS), the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and Brazil. Trial applications of the framework to various barrier technologies revealed valuable lessons, allowing Astrimar to refine and strengthen the methodology further. This has ensured that the framework is not only technically robust but also practical and adaptable across jurisdictions.
Astrimar’s work represents a significant contribution to the energy transition and decommissioning excellence. By enabling the qualification and adoption of more effective, lower-cost well barriers, their framework helps reduce emissions, improve the long-term integrity of abandoned wells, and lower overall decommissioning costs. Moreover, it accelerates the deployment of innovative technologies that support a safer and more sustainable end-of-life phase for oil and gas wells.
Through its combination of technical leadership, cross-industry collaboration, and focus on long-term environmental stewardship, Astrimar is setting a new standard for innovation and operational excellence in the decommissioning sector—supporting the industry's evolution toward a cleaner, more efficient energy future.