Regulatory Aspects of Offshore Decommissioning: Bijupirá and Salema Project Case in Brazil

Abstract This paper examines the regulatory aspects of the Bijupira & Salema Decommissioning Project, developed by Shell in offshore Brazil. The project involves the decommissioning of the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit and subsea systems, and the permanent abandonment of wells. It reviews Brazilian regulatory requirements for decommissioning and their integration into project execution planning. The main permits and consents (P&C) from various stakeholders, including local authorities such as ANP, IBAMA, the Navy, and CNEN, as well as international agreements like the Basel Convention, are described along with their approval processes. Additionally, the paper highlights key challenges encountered due to the relatively new regulatory framework in the country. Finally, it compiles lessons learned to inform future decommissioning projects.