Introduction to
Plug & Abandonment

Purpose

This instructor-led classroom course provides a clear, practical foundation in Plug & Abandonment (P&A) as required by the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA). Through guided discussion, facilitator-led explanation, and interactive group activities, delegates build essential awareness of the regulatory framework, barrier fundamentals, abandonment planning, and the expectations placed on operators conducting well decommissioning in the UKCS.

The classroom format ensures learners can ask questions, explore real-world examples, and engage directly with an experienced instructor. This creates a strong platform for progression into more advanced operational-level P&A training by establishing the core concepts, terminology, and regulatory duties that underpin safe, compliant, and workmanlike well abandonment.

What the Course Covers

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the purpose of Plug & Abandonment and its importance in the UKCS
• Explain the NSTA’s role in regulating well decommissioning
• Identify operator obligations under the Model Clauses and Offshore Safety Directive
• Recognise the purpose of WONS and when notifications and consents are required
• Define well barriers and understand the basics of barrier integrity and verification
• Distinguish between temporary suspension and permanent abandonment
• Outline the key components of an abandonment plan and abandonment strategy
• Apply foundational concepts to a simple P&A scenario

Course Format

• One-day, instructor-led classroom programme
• Practitioner-led instruction from experienced P&A and well decommissioning specialists
• Group discussion and a guided, scenario-based walkthrough
• End-of-course knowledge check with an Aberdeen Technical Training Certificate on successful completion

Who It Is For

Designed for personnel who support, influence, or interface with UKCS well decommissioning activities:

• UKCS-based operational teams
• International personnel working on UK projects or rotating into UK operations
• Office-based staff within operators and service companies — procurement, HR, administration, logistics, finance, project management, planning, HSE, and technical support roles
• Early-career engineers, graduates, and non-technical staff seeking foundational regulatory awareness
• Teams involved in tendering, contracting, or managing decommissioning scopes

The course is particularly valuable for international teams who need to understand how UKCS regulatory expectations differ from other jurisdictions, and for UK organisations aiming to build a consistent baseline of P&A knowledge across both technical and non-technical roles.