India’s First Offshore Farewell: Shell, Reliance, and ONGC Pull the Plug on Tapti

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 700 Views

In a first for India's energy industry, Shell (on behalf of BGEPIL), Reliance Industries Limited, and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) have executed the nation's first full-scale major offshore facilities decommissioning project. The safe removal and continuing dismantling of the offshore assets of the Tapti field signal a major milestone towards India's transition to responsible energy choices and infrastructure management.

Project Overview

The Panna-Mukta and Tapti (PMT) joint venture-Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) (40% stake), Reliance (30%), and BG Exploration and Production India Ltd./Shell (30%)-successfully completed the decommissioning of the Tapti offshore facilities in the Arabian Sea.

The project is the first major offshore decommissioning project in India, including removing mid and south Tapti field facilities, five wellhead platforms, attendant pipelines, and safe plugging and abandonment of 38 wells.

Key Achievements

Safe and Responsible Execution

Offshore execution was undertaken in a safe manner, with dismantle activities being done at CLSPL's Ratnagiri facilities.

Highest safety and environmental standards were followed by the project despite the complexity involved in executing work close to ONGC's live assets.

Strengthening Domestic Capabilities

Offshore execution and dismantling onshore major contracts were given to Indian companies Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Chowgule Shipyard (CLSPL), strengthening the government's 'Make in India' vision.

Regulatory and Industry Benchmark

The project was a trailblazer in defining India's regulatory and operational structures for offshore decommissioning.

Created in collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, and Oil Industry Safety Directorate, it serves as a benchmark for future endeavors.

Collaboration and Legacy

The PMT JV stands as an example of a model partnership involving a national oil company (ONGC), a large private sector player (Reliance), and an international oil company (Shell).

The Tapti and Panna-Mukta fields have yielded 211 million barrels of oil and 1.25 trillion cubic feet of natural gas since 1994, highlighting their significance to India's energy history.

Industry Impact and Future Outlook

The successful decommissioning indicates India's expanding capability in taking care of the complete lifecycle of offshore assets, from development through safe retirement.

The project should shape future offshore energy transitions, focusing on international best practices suited to Indian conditions.

'This project creates a new standard for safe decommissioning, enabled by international expertise, close collaboration, and an absolute focus on safety and sustainability,' said Nipun Pradhan, Managing Director, BGEPIL and GM Shell Upstream India.

Relevant Sources: The Tribune India, Europétrole, The Financial Express, Energetica India, The Indian Express

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