EnerMech has been awarded a significant contract by ExxonMobil to deliver a comprehensive flowline decommissioning package for the Hoover Diana development in the Gulf of Mexico. This milestone represents the company’s first major decommissioning campaign in the region and demonstrates its strategic methodology, integrated approach, and offshore operational expertise.
The Hoover and Diana fields, situated approximately 160 miles south of Galveston, Texas, have served as a landmark offshore development since their inception in 2000. The project utilised pioneering floating production deep draft caisson vessel technology and achieved world records for deepwater drilling and production depths at the time of its development.
Decommissioning deepwater structures demands meticulous planning and execution. EnerMech’s proactive early collaboration with ExxonMobil has enabled the development of a comprehensive approach optimised for safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
The project will deploy an expert team integrating multiple service lines from EnerMech’s Energy Solutions division, including coiled tubing, pressure pumping, chemical services, filtration, separation, and pipeline gauging. The scope encompasses flushing, pigging, and filling subsea pipelines to safely remove hydrocarbons and prepare the infrastructure for decommissioning.
Specific technical operations include umbilical flushing, pipeline flushing, and seawater fill operations for the subsea flowline loop, along with nitrogen flushing via subsea vessel, coiled tubing services, and final seawater filling for the Northern Diana flowline.
Industry Leadership Perspective
Charles ‘Chuck’ Davison Jr., EnerMech’s CEO, emphasised the significance of this contract for the company’s Gulf of Mexico operations. “The Hoover-Diana project marks our first large-scale decommissioning engagement in the Gulf of Mexico, building on the strong relationship we’ve developed with ExxonMobil in Guyana since 2018,” he stated. “Executing a multi-service end-of-lifecycle project of this scale requires a highly skilled and competent workforce.”
Davison highlighted that securing the contract through a competitive tender process demonstrates the company’s deep expertise and integrated capabilities. “Our early engagement has allowed us to develop a tailored methodology that maximises efficiencies, minimises risks, and ensures a safe, cost-effective execution,” he added.
The CEO also noted the broader market implications, stating that with many offshore assets reaching the end of their lifecycle, the decommissioning market in the Gulf of Mexico is expanding rapidly. “This project underscores the value we bring to our customers and positions us for future growth in this critical sector,” Davison concluded.
Jon Felton, EnerMech’s technical solutions director for the Western Hemisphere, detailed the company’s innovative approach to the project. The methodology includes nitrogen injection to mitigate gas-related risks and advanced pigging solutions to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
“Our ability to seamlessly coordinate multiple service line disciplines required simultaneously under one contract sets us apart,” Felton explained. “We’ve engineered a methodology that not only meets ExxonMobil’s expectations but also establishes a new benchmark for efficiency and safety in deepwater decommissioning.”
This contract award positions EnerMech as a key player in the growing Gulf of Mexico decommissioning sector. The company’s success in securing this major project reflects its ability to deliver integrated solutions for complex offshore operations and establishes a foundation for future growth in the region’s expanding decommissioning market.
For more information visit www.enermech.com
