Able has secured contracts from offshore contractor Allseas to dismantle, reuse and recycle the topsides from TAQA UK’s Cormorant Alpha and Tern platforms.

The work will be carried out at the company’s Teesside facility, Able Seaton Port (ASP), with deliveries of the topsides due from 2027.

Able group CEO Lance Taylor said: “These decommissioning contract awards from Allseas for TAQA UK’s Tern and Cormorant Alpha topsides are a defining moment for Able Seaton Port and for UK decommissioning. They reflect the trust placed in us by Allseas to deliver on these significant projects for TAQA.

“We continue to invest millions of pounds into extending our capabilities – from building new quays to expanding infrastructure – ensuring we can handle larger and more complex projects in parallel.

“As a result, we are actively positioning ourselves to deliver more contracts, support more jobs and strengthen Teesside’s role at the centre of the global decommissioning industry.”

The combined weight of the two topsides is 47,500 tonnes (t).

Able said that up to 97% of recovered materials from the northern North Sea topsides are set to be recycled or reused.

Dismantling work will create economic activity and long-term jobs in Teesside, added the company.

Allseas Projects vice-president Matthijs Groenewegen said: “This award marks another milestone in our collaboration with Able.

“Projects such as Tern and Cormorant Alpha showcase the strength of our single-lift removal technology, while Able’s proven expertise ensures these major topsides are safely and responsibly recycled, reflecting our shared commitment to sustainable North Sea decommissioning operations.”

The contract aligns with the North Sea Transition Deal, under which the oil and gas industry of UK has committed to support domestic suppliers by allocating a fair share of decommissioning work to UK companies.

North Sea Transition Authority for Supply Chain and Decommissioning director Pauline Innes said: “We hope to see further onshore dismantling work being entrusted to the UK’s highly skilled supply chain.”