What we do

Title: TAPTI

Duration: 6:28 minutes

Description: This video outlines the framework by which partners Shell, Reliance and ONGC decommissioned the five ageing Tapti platforms.

TAPTI Transcript

[Background music plays]

Various instrumental adaptations of The Sound of Shell play through each segment, at times with a more ambient mood, at times more upbeat and rhythmic, and at other times building to dramatic crescendos at relevant moments.

Voiceover

Hundreds of miles off the coast of Mumbai, India’s embarking on a national first.

Video footage

The sequence begins with a wide shot revealing a sunset sky over the ocean, framed by the silhouetted structures of an offshore platform. The video montage progresses to feature time-lapse footage capturing early morning activity on Tapti offshore platforms, various scenes of construction teams actively engaged in work on the platforms, a close-up shot showcasing a cutting torch as its intense flame precisely cuts through the aged metal of an offshore platform, followed by a wider shot of a corroded and barnacle-encrusted section being sliced apart with the cutting tool, concluding with the detached section being lowered.

Jayawant Velingkar

Offshore removal is a very challenging activity.

Video footage

A close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with two offshore platforms prominently visible in the background.

Voiceover

Dismantling five ageing gas platforms.

Video footage

Aerial footage showcases an offshore platform with the LTS-3000 vessel positioned in the surrounding waters..

Rex Williams

Each platform has its own unique danger just waiting for you.

Video footage

Close-up and extreme close-up shots depict the speaker engaging with an off-camera interviewer, while an offshore platform is prominently visible in the backdrop.

Voiceover

All the platforms must be removed before the monsoon season hits, making this engineering feat a race against time.

Video footage

The sequence features various scenes: a construction team collaborating to haul and manoeuvre an item, close-up footage capturing sparks emitting from a DeWalt metal cutter, a low-angle close-up of team leaders looking upward, with one gesturing, a wide shot depicting the two men from behind, observing the topside being hoisted, a platform silhouetted against the soft hues of a hazy sunrise or sunset sky, followed by dynamic imagery of turbulent waves crashing, lightning cutting through dark, stormy clouds accompanied by the rumble of thunder, and the restless, choppy surface of the ocean.

[Text displays]

Decommissioning Tapti An Indian trailblazer

Video footage

Drone footage of the LTS-3000 vessel towing a material barge that carries the towering structure of an offshore platform topside, set against the vast blue expanse of the ocean.

Voiceover

Over 25 years, the Tapti platforms have extracted almost 1,3 trillion cubic feet of gas from the Tapti gas field, its primary purpose to provide energy security for India, supplying, at its peak, approximately 15% of the country’s gas. In 2016, after a decline in production, operations ceased.

Video footage

The sequence shows the following footage: the Indian flag flying proudly from one of the Tapti offshore platforms, with a blurred view of orange industrial machinery rising in the foreground against a clear sky; the view from the deck of the LTS-3000 vessel shows choppy sea waves and brightly painted bollards in yellow, red and black on deck, with the open ocean stretching out under a hazy blue sky; a worker in a white hard hat and red safety gear sits quietly on an offshore platform at sunset, his silhouette outlined against a glowing orange sky as the sun dips behind him; numerous drone shots of the Tapti offshore platforms seen against the sunrise, the sunset, by day and by night, seen clearly and seen silhouetted against the expanse of water and sky. The scene shifts to the city, where we see busy cityscapes and highways at night filled with light from various sources of energy. Close-up footage shows the gas burner of a cooker igniting, with its vibrant blue flame flickering steadily against the dark background. A wide-angle shot shows lights turning on an off in a vast multi-level building. The sequence then shifts back to various shots of the Tapti platforms in situ, then to a shot of a lone construction team member standing at the end of a gangway, looking up.

Voiceover

 The challenge now is safely removing all five platforms and restoring the area to its original stage.

[Text displays]

Tapti – Surat – Mumbai – India
TFB Flare Room – TPP – TCPP – STA – STB – MTA – STC – STD

[Animated sequence]

A map portrays a section of India's western coastline, pinpointing the locations of Tapti, Surat and Mumbai, with Tapti marked in white and Surat and Mumbai in yellow, set against a blue, stylized backdrop with white boundary lines. A circle expands from the Tapti location marker to fill the frame, then exits, leaving a blueprint in view. The blueprint outlines the interconnected Tapti platforms with labelled components, such as STD, STC, TFB Flare Boom and others, forming a structured network amid the open sea, designed for offshore oil and gas operations. Next, the platforms rise, and together with the network of pipelines and text labels, dissolve away, leaving only the central structures, such as the flare room. Parallel diagonal wavy lines cross the seabed.

Rutik Zanjad

This project is a milestone for India, setting a new standard for offshore decommissioning.

[Text displays]

Rutik Zanjad
Project Engineer, LTHE

Video footage

A close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with offshore platforms prominently visible in the background. The speaker’s name and title display in a textbox in lower frame-left.

Voiceover

Before removal starts, partners Shell, Reliance and ONGC work with government to develop the decommissioning framework and agree the best plan with Indian contractors.

Video footage and graphic

The scene shifts to a platform seen in silhouette as golden light shimmers across the surface of the ocean. Next, a still shot shows five figures standing side by side in formal attire, positioned against a backdrop adorned with symbolic icons of gears and handshakes. A yellow rectangular line surrounds and highlights the figures. Another still shot shows eight individuals standing side by side, dressed in formal attire with identification badges clipped to their shirts, set against a neutral indoor backdrop. A yellow rectangular line surrounds and highlights the figures. A further still shot depicts a conference room where a meeting is underway, with participants seated around a large table equipped with laptops, notebooks and water bottles. A presenter is standing near a screen and whiteboard, while two flip charts displaying diagrams are positioned nearby. Large windows with curtains provide natural light to the professional setting. A yellow rectangular line surrounds and highlights the scene. The scene shifts to a group gathered around a large table, focusing on signing formal documents, in a professional setting. A wider view shows four individuals, dressed formally, shaking hands with one another as part of the contract signing ceremony, set against a backdrop displaying the words "Tapti Decom Contract Signing" alongside gear icons.

Aravazhi Muthusamy

The decommissioning parameters are extremely strict. We do it safely, respect the environment while setting a national standard.

[Text displays]

Aravazhi Muthusamy
Operations Engineer, Reliance

Video footage

Close-up footage captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with offshore infrastructure visible in the background. The speaker’s name and title display in a textbox in lower frame-left.

Raviteja Chandrala

We wanted to ensure the decommissioning process was as sustainable as possible.

[Text displays]

Raviteja Chandrala
Senior Operations Engineer, Reliance

Video footage

Close-up footage captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with industrial infrastructure visible in the background. The speaker’s name and title display in a textbox in lower frame-left.

Voiceover

Ultimate responsibility for the strict execution lies with the contractors, L&T.

Video footage

A series of shots shows contractors onsite, looking at plans and communicating back to their team.

Ajay Khune

Decommissioning is a complex reverse engineering process that demands meticulous planning and precise execution.

[Text displays]

Ajay Khune
Permit Coordinator, LTHE

Video footage

A close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with industrial infrastructure visible in the background. The speaker’s name and title display in a textbox in lower frame-left. The scene shifts to another team member leafing through a thick binder of diagrams and plans.

Voiceover

First, the five platforms, called topsides, must be cut from their legs and each lifted by a giant 3,000 tonne crane. Next, the four legs, called jackets, will be removed. Finally, topsides and jackets must be transported 253 miles for dismantling onshore.

[Text displays]

Helideck – Counter weight – Main deck – Cellar deck – Cut line elevation – Up-lift restraints cleats – T.O. Jacket – M.L.W. – Jacket – LTS-3000 – Work deck
Tapti – Surat – Mumbai – Lavgan Yard – India

[Animated sequence]

A blueprint depicts the interconnected Tapti platforms at sea, illustrating their structural components, including decks, jackets, helidecks and uplift restraints, arranged to highlight their functionality and spatial relationships. Yellow highlighting indicates the cut line location, with upward-facing arrows indicating direction. Green lines show where the crane is connected to the topside. The crane is then shown to lift the topside from the jacket and swing the topside towards the right. The blueprint shifts to show the topside being lowered onto a waiting material barge at frame-right. The crane swings back towards frame-left, lifts the jacket similarly and swings it towards frame-right, lowering it down onto the material barge. The blueprint again shifts, showing a vessel, in blueprint form, towing the jacket and topside on the material barge, connected again by two green lines. The Western Coast of India comes into view at frame right, and a dotted line maps the route from Tapti to Lavgan Yard, indicated by a yellow location marker.

Jayawant Velingkar

This gas field is very notorious for its high currents. Uncertainties need to be anticipated.

[Text displays]

Jayawant Velingkar
Principal Project Engineer, Shell

Video footage

Close-up shots capture the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with two offshore platforms prominently visible in the background. The speaker’s name and title initially display in a textbox in lower frame-left.

Voiceover

Alongside the high currents, the greatest challenge is the weather. Each platform has to be removed before the monsoon season hits, when storms will make dismantling too dangerous. On a tight schedule, engineers first construct scaffolding around the topsides.

Video footage

The sequence features the following scenes: turbulent seas crashing against the infrastructure of offshore platforms; a time-lapse showcasing the platforms amidst the ocean; contractors actively engaged in operations, with some being elevated inside a protective cage while others provide support outside; a wide shot capturing the cage being lowered onto the platform; a close-up of engineers immersed in onsite discussions; and a concluding shot of the cage suspended in mid-air.

Mohd-Arif Saifi

We have to build a scaffolding structure to access the cut location.

[Text displays]

Mohd-Arif Saifi
Project Execution Engineer, Shell

Video footage

A close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with an offshore platform prominently visible in the background. The speaker’s name and title display in a textbox in lower frame-left.

Voiceover

Once the scaffolding is in place, cutting can begin.

Video footage

Extreme wide-angle and closer shots of the platform legs capture teams positioned on scaffolding strategically arranged around the cutting points. A contractor looks through windows at the offshore platform visible in the mid-distance.

Mohd-Arif Saifi

All preparations have been done. All checks have been completed.

Video footage

A close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with an offshore platform visible at frame-right.

Rex Williams

Okay, everybody, go or no go.

Everyone

Go!

Video footage

The scene takes place in a meeting room where individuals in uniforms with reflective stripes are seated around a conference table. A presentation is being displayed on a large screen, while charts and posters adorn the walls. The team leader poses a question and those present answer in the affirmative.

Mohd-Arif Saifi

We are good to go.

Video footage

The scene shifts to, first, a platform and the LTS-3000 seen in silhouette against a sunset sky, then to a second vessel also seen in silhouette against an orange sky.

Voiceover

Cutting lasts for six hours. Only then are the team ready to attempt the delicate lift.

Unidentified Male

Okay, recce.

Video footage

A close-up shot showcases a cutting torch as its intense flame precisely cuts through the aged metal of an offshore platform, seen against the darkness of night. Various camera angles show teams positioned on scaffolding around each leg at the cutting points, cutting through the metal. Close-up footage shows team members, seen from behind, observing screens in a control room. Various aerial shots showcase the nighttime activity, and the music goes silent as the team pause to assess readiness.

Sonny Cothran

Okay, just even us up.

Video footage

A series of footage shows various team members standing at observation points, and we see the topside begin to lift. Sonny speaks into the two-way radio from his observation point.

Unidentified Male

Okay. Swinging wide, swinging wide.

Sonny Cothran

We just lifted almost 900 tonnes of steel.

Unidentified Male

Okay, I’ll stop on the block.

Sonny Cothran

Okay, touchdown.

Video footage

The camera angles continue to follow the topside as it is lifted and manoeuvred in mid-air and then lowered to the material barge.

Sonny Cothran

We’ve got it set on this material barge now. I’ve got my team there doing all the welding, bracing, getting the stability right so we can send this in to the shore, so they can take it apart.

Unidentified Male

Nice work, everybody.

Video footage

We see Sonny observing the activity through a window and speaking into his two-way radio. Aerial footage shows the topside being welded and braced into place for transit. The scene ends on an aerial zoom in on the illuminated topside settled on the barge for transit. Fade to black.

Voiceover

With the topsides gone, the team prepares for their next challenge, cutting and removing the jacket.

Video footage

The scene opens on time-lapse footage of the sun rising over a calmly lapping ocean, with a section of the platform’s jacket visible in the foreground. Aerial footage shows the LTS-3000 bustling with activity, featuring team members operating machinery, managing cables and engaged in discussion onsite. Next, drone footage shows team members working on the scaffolding surrounding one of the platform legs.

Voiceover

They’ll be cut from inside the legs, five metres below the sea bed.

[Text displays]

Tapti jacket representation
Seabed

[Animated sequence]

A blueprint illustrates the jacket's structural outline, with the previous cutting points above the surface. The drawing shifts, moving down the legs to show where the legs move below the seabed. A dashed horizontal line demarcates the cut line. A downward-pointing arrow extends from the seabed down to the cut line, indicating a distance of 5 metres between the two points. Yellow highlighting flashes across at the cut points.

Voiceover

But when Tapti was constructed, the legs were hammered into the sea bed for stability and are now filled with soil.

Video footage

Time-lapse drone footage shows the LTS-3000 with the material barge on one side of it, and a gangway connecting it to the submerged jacket on the other side. Close-up shots show the ocean water swirling around the legs.

Stuart Budge

The soil has been compacted within the legs for decades.

[Text displays]

Stuart Budge
Ashtead Technology

Video footage

A close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with Ashtead Technology signage visible in the background. The speaker’s name and title display in a textbox in lower frame-left.

Voiceover

If they can’t cut the legs from the inside, the team must resort to using divers to cut from the outside. But diving here presents its own unique challenges.

Video footage

Aerial footage zooms in on the upper opening of one of the leg structures. We see further footage of the LTS-3000 alongside the top of the jacket. A series of footage follows, showing team members helping a dive team get kitted and ready to dive down.

Rudolf Vaughn Schaefer

So in Tapti, diving is really difficult. Because they’ve got such high currents, there’s a lot of sediment in the water. You can’t see in front of the visor. So the divers need to feel their way around.

[Text displays]

Rudolf Vaughn Schaefer
Diving Superintendent, POSH

Video footage

Footage of the team readying the divers continues, and then a close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with POSH signage prominently visible on containers in the background. The speaker’s name and title display in a textbox in lower frame-left. We see a diver going below the surface and being submerged into dirty, brown water filled with sediment. Though bubbles appear, the form of the diver can barely be made out in the murky water. Fade to black.

Voiceover

Thankfully, the team has a solution, a giant high-pressure hose to remove the soil one leg at a time.

Video footage

More aerial footage shows the gangway connected to the above-water section of the leg. A closer view shows team members working busily on the scaffolding atop the leg. Next, we see a hose raised in the air, spewing out sediment. We continue to see the sediment flying out of the hose as we see the sun setting over the ocean. A close-up of two observing team members, seen from behind, shows the sediment continuing to spew out against the blackness of night.

Sonny Cothran

Once we do that, then we’re ready to go for the cutting.

[Text displays]

Sonny Cothran
Offshore Construction Manager, LTHE

Video footage

A close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with the remaining leg structure visible in the ocean in the background. The speaker’s name and title display in a textbox in lower frame-left.

Voiceover

A high-precision cutting tool is lowered into the legs.

Video footage

A series of footage shows an industrial cutting tool being lowered into the legs.

Voiceover

Using a mixture of high-pressure water and abrasive, it slices the steel from inside.

[Animated sequence]

A blueprint depicts a technical drawing of the cutting tool moving down the cylindrical platform leg, which has layers and materials surrounding it that are represented by wavy lines and dotted patterns. As the base of the leg is reached, a section at the head of the tool moves outward. A circle expands from this point and moves out to frame-right, connected to the head by a line. The illustration within the circle is a zoom in on the action taking place in the extended part, where two substances are shown to be ejected from different compartments. Simultaneously, a neon yellow line highlights the horizontal movement of this action and the resultant slicing of the steel cylinder.

Voiceover

With the legs cut, Tapti’s jackets are ready for lifting.

Video footage

Further drone footage shows the activity of the team atop the jacket, and then the LTS-3000’s crane attached to the structure amidst calm ocean water. A series of footage includes shots of team members observing from aboard the vessel, the crane operator at his controls, and the crane hook firmly attached to a jacket.

Unidentified Male

Okay, let me know when you’ve got it connected and secure on your deck.

Unidentified Male

Roger, roger.

Video footage

A contractor wearing a white hard hat stands at the window overlooking the deck of the LTS-3000 and speaks into a two-way radio. Another man, who is wearing a baseball cap, answers from a control room, and a close-up shot shows his hand operating the controls.

Voiceover

After 25 years underwater, the first jacket is safely lifted into the sunlight. Incredibly, after a million manhours, all five Tapti platforms are safely removed and shipped back to shore for recycling, ahead of schedule and before the monsoon strikes. Mission accomplished, a new national benchmark set.

Video footage

A time-lapse series shows the LTS-3000’s crane lifting the jacket from the water, seen against the background of bright blue sky. A panoramic shot shows the entire jacket suspended in the air, the legs weathered and covered with barnacles. A series of footage shows the corroded and barnacle-encrusted sections being sliced apart with a cutting tool, and sparks fly against a darkening sky as night falls. Various shots show jackets suspended alongside the LTS-3000 vessel by day, beneath pale blue sky, and by night, where we see the vessel’s lights twinkling against the darkness. Aerial night-time shots show the LTS-3000 vessel, the material barge carrying the structures alongside it, as well as the smaller vessels in the foreground. A series of footage shows the material barge with structures atop it being pulled through blue ocean beneath a brilliant blue sky, then moving into port and being moored at the shipyard. Aerial time-lapse footage shows a jacket rolling through the shipyard while the topside remains on the moored barge. A tilting side-view of the topside shows the Tapti signage.

Rex Williams

To be leading the team in India is one of the highlights of my career.

Video footage

A series of footage shows larger and smaller group shots as well as individual team members, all smiling into the camera and giving thumbs-up signals, while some team members are seen to be jovially congratulating one another. We cut to close-up footage of Rex Williams speaking to the off-camera interviewer, with an offshore platform visible in the background. This is followed by two smiling team members looking into the camera, giving thumbs-up signals.

Rutik Zanjad

I’m truly proud to be part of this transformative journey.

Video footage

A close-up captures the speaker addressing an off-camera interviewer, with two offshore platforms visible in the background. This is followed by footage of two team leaders standing at a railing, looking out over the ocean as the sun sets.

[Text displays]

Tapti
First Offshore D&R in India
Goal Zero
One Team
Tapti Decom

[Animated sequence]

A graphic zooms into frame, featuring an open hand, palm facing upward, depicted in green tones, set against a background of light blue ocean and deep blue sky. The word “Tapti” is held in the palm of the green hand. As the sun flashes at the horizon, the letters transition out and are replaced in the palm by yellow graphics depicting offshore drilling equipment, the words “Goal Zero” displaying within the yellow graphic. An arc of text transitions in to display above the graphic. Amidst a swirl of white light, the ocean and sky surrounding the graphics contract to an orb shape that displays in the form of a logo at frame-centre, surrounded by a bright blue background and spots of white light. “One Team” displays within the open palm, and “Tapti Decom” displays below the palm.

[Text displays]

Panna Mukta & Tapti Joint Venture

[Graphic]

Against a white background, logos for ONGC, Reliance and Shell display side by side at frame-centre, and text displays below these.