Risk Based Decision Making for Decommissioning of Fixed Jacket Platforms

Abstract Decommissioning offshore platforms demands thorough consideration of various factors to ensure alignment with technical viability, environmental sustainability, regulatory requirements, and socio-economic responsibilities. This study assesses different decommissioning approaches for the jacket fixed offshore platform in West Madura Offshore, which has been out of operation since 2006 at a water depth of 63 feet. This paper uses Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO) to evaluate the integrates expert opinions to prioritize four key criteria: cost, technical feasibility, environmental impact, and socio-economic benefits. The results shows that the Leave in Place alternative stands out as the most balanced option given the current site conditions, especially regarding environmental protection and cost-effectiveness. However, this choice requires implementing proper safeguards such as navigational risk assessments and obtaining relevant regulatory approvals. The study underscores the value of transparent, multi-criteria evaluations to support responsible decommissioning decisions in shallow-water environments.