An update on the cost of net-trawling operations in the Gulf of Mexico

Site clearance and verification (SC&V) is the last stage of an offshore decommissioning program where oil- and gas-related debris is removed in the vicinity of the structure and the site is verified clear. A variety of techniques may be used to perform SC&V operations, but net trawling and diver survey are the most common in the Gulf of Mexico. Net trawling uses conventional trawling techniques with a reinforced net assembly to pick up debris. In this paper, descriptive statistics based on 308 net trawling jobs performed in the Gulf of Mexico between 2001 and 2005 are presented for the purpose of cost benchmarking SC&V operations. Costs are summarized relative to structure type and water depth categories. Factors that impact the cost of SC&V operations are discussed.