RVA is currently supporting a major oil and gas operator with decommissioning preparations, risk assessments and procedures to ensure the safe dismantling and decommissioning of a sulphuric acid plant at their site in Barrow-in-Furness. With a full-time presence at the site since January following the completion of feasibility and option studies for the plant last year, RVA’s team of consultants is acting in a project management and CDM co-ordinator role until the plant has been fully cleared.

The plant is part of a COMAH top-tier licensed operational site handling a large proportion of the UK’s gas supply. Extensive preparation is required to ensure the integrity of the site’s ongoing operations is protected whilst the decommissioning is carried out. RVA is supporting the procurement of dismantling contractor services and supervision of decommissioning to ensure the work is carried out with precision and teamwork. The priority throughout is to ensure the highest levels of safety on the project.

The plant being decommissioned comprises a reactor, concentration structure, furnace and precipitator, stack and pipe work. To avoid disruption, decommissioning will only begin when the new replacement plant has been fully installed and commissioned. This plant is currently being constructed reflecting the operator’s desire to have the safest, most efficient and reliable processing plant available.