ABLE Awarded Solan Subsea Oil Storage Tank Decommissioning Contract
ABLE has been awarded a contract by Heerema Marine Contractors for the load-in, demolition and disposal of the Solan subsea oil storage tank (SOST) from Harbour Energy’s Solan field. The circa 13,400‑tonne tank measures approximately 45m x 45m x 25m.
Under the scope of work, ABLE will manage the safe receipt, dismantling and sustainable disposal of the SOST, drawing on its long-established experience in large scale offshore decommissioning, heavy structures decommissioning and responsible marine recycling.
Significant Investment in Port Infrastructure
To support the execution of this project, ABLE will undertake further development of its Able Seaton Port West Yard, delivering a concrete, non‑permeable working base engineered to withstand the weight and footprint of the offshore structure.
The new concrete pad, covering approximately 15,000m² and located adjacent to Able Seaton Port Quay 1, will enable controlled demolition activities while ensuring that any residual fluids are fully contained, recovered and managed in line with environmental best practice.
The construction of the pad is expected to take approximately nine months and represents a substantial infrastructure project in its own right, further strengthening ABLE’s long‑term port and marine recycling capabilities.
Proven Experience in Offshore Decommissioning
This contract builds on ABLE’s extensive track record in offshore dismantling and recycling, supported by its purpose‑designed quayside facilities and in‑house heavy engineering and plant and equipment capability.
ABLE has a long‑standing working relationship with Heerema Marine Contractors, dating back to the early years of North Sea platform dismantling, and more recently including collaborative work on the Murdoch field.
Decommissioning at Scale, Done Responsibly
With purpose‑built marine recycling facilities, deep‑water quays, heavy‑lift access and in‑house demolition expertise, ABLE continues to support the safe, efficient and sustainable end‑of‑life management of offshore assets.
As the North Sea enters an increasingly active decommissioning phase, the SOST project reflects the increasing scale and complexity of late‑life offshore assets now entering the decommissioning phase. ABLE continues to invest in infrastructure, people and processes to ensure the safe, efficient and sustainable recycling of offshore structures, supporting operators and contractors as the North Sea energy landscape evolves.
We look forward to working closely with our partners to deliver this project safely and responsibly.