How to deconstruct an oil rig

Thousands of oil and gas rigs are becoming redundant around the world – and taking them out of service, known as decommissioning, is a multi-billion dollar business.

It’s also a complex operation beset by sometimes opposing interests. In this programme, we meet the makers of the world’s biggest ship - a machine at the cutting edge of rig removal, and the visit the port that can recycle over 95% of a rig. As concerns grow over delays to decommissioning in the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico, we look into whether enough progress is being made with removing old rigs around the world.

Produced and presented by Laura Heighton-Ginns

(Image: The Brent Bravo topside oil platform is transported on the barge ‘Iron Lady’ into the mouth of the River Tees on route to the Able UK Seaton Port site for decommissioning on June 20, 2019 in Teesport, England. Credit: Getty Images)