Arrival of the noble platform resolves to Tarragona
At noon this Sunday, the noble resolve, a high altitude drilling unit, has anchored a mile off the coast of Tarragona. With a height of 150 meters, this platform has moved from Denmark to face a crucial task: definitively sealing the underwater wells of the controversial Castor project.
A process of complex dismantling
The Enagás Plan provides for the Jackup Modu platform to move to the Castor area during April. In total, 37 caps must be installed, with a method that will alternate mechanical perforation with detonations controlled in the seabed. This operation comes after three years of administrative procedures that have complicated its start.
History of underwater wells
Underwater wells, which have been closed since 2016 with provisional stamps, need a permanent solution. These temporary stamps, with a limited duration, have been concerned with local neighbors and authorities.
Phases of the operation and environmental impact
The Spanish government has recently approved the environmental impact statement, a requirement needed to advance with the deactivation of wells. The operation will be divided into three stages: positioning of the platform, seal of the wells and restoration of the seabed.
Concerns of the Local Community
The City Council of Alcanar and the Platform in Defense of the Terres del Sénia have expressed their intention to monitor the dismantling closely. In a recent press conference, they required more information on the possible repercussions of the operation, including the risk of hydrocarbon spills and new seismic events.
Demands for transparency and control
Local entities have called for greater transparency in the costs associated with the Castor project, which are currently considered confidential. They have also urged to review the sesmographers who monitor the seismicity in the area, as they are crucial to ensure safety during sealing.
Possible consequences of sealing
If earthquakes are detected over 2.5 degrees on the Richter scale or a series of minor earthquakes, operations should be stopped immediately, which emphasizes the importance of constant surveillance during this delicate phase of deactivation.