Surface Decommissioning

Before remediation or reclamation can occur, all surface infrastructure—wellheads, tanks, pipelines, and facilities—must be removed and decommissioned in accordance with regulatory standards.

Terra-Sano provides surface decommissioning services across Alberta. We handle everything from wellhead cut-and-cap to complete facility teardown, with the equipment, expertise, and regulatory knowledge to get it right the first time.

Wellhead & Pipeline Decommissioning

Cut-and-Cap

Our crew handles cut-and-cap operations, ensuring wellheads are decommissioned in accordance with AER standards and that proper documentation is provided for your regulatory submissions.

Internal Pipe Cutting Tool (2"-8")

When ground disturbance is not an option, we offer internal pipe cutting. Our internal pipe cutting tools handle 2" to 8" diameter pipe, allowing us to cut and section pipelines from the inside. When you encounter a pipeline situation that doesn't fit the standard approach, we have the specialized equipment to handle it.

Pipeline Pigging & Riser Removal

Before pipelines can be cut and removed, they need to be properly prepared. Pigging removes residual product, verifies the line is clear, and ensures safe decommissioning. Our team handles pipeline preparation and pigging services, as well as pipeline and riser removal, so lines are ready for cutting and removal without safety risks or environmental incidents.

Tanks, Equipment & Facility Teardown

Surface Equipment Decommissioning and Removal

Separators, pumps, meters, control panels, and associated infrastructure must be decommissioned and removed before site reclamation can proceed.

Our crews handle surface equipment decommissioning, including equipment isolation and de-energizing, fluid and product removal, and concrete pad removal. We then perform a complete site cleanup, preparing for the next phases.

Facility Decommissioning

Larger facilities—compressor stations, processing facilities, and multi-well batteries—require more extensive decommissioning work. Buildings, foundations, process equipment, electrical systems, and associated infrastructure all need a systematic teardown that meets regulatory requirements and prepares the site for eventual reclamation. Terra-Sano manages complete facility decommissioning projects, coordinating all trades and activities from initial planning through final site cleanup.

Underground Tank Removal

Underground storage tanks are one of the most common and problematic decommissioning challenges. Tanks that have been buried for decades often have product residue, structural deterioration, and surrounding soil contamination. Removing them requires proper planning, appropriate equipment, and careful execution to avoid spills or safety incidents.

Our underground tank removal services include:

  • Pre-removal assessment and planning
  • Tank cleaning and purging
  • Excavation and tank removal
  • Backfilling and site restoration

Specialized Decommissioning
Services & Support

Picker Services

Decommissioning generates scrap metal, salvageable equipment, and materials that need to be loaded, transported, and properly disposed of or recycled. Our picker services handle material handling and transportation during decommissioning.

Field Welding Services

Sometimes, decommissioning requires welding—whether it's fabricating caps, modifying equipment for removal, or addressing unexpected field conditions. Our certified field welders provide on-site welding services as part of decommissioning projects, eliminating delays waiting for third-party welding contractors.

Project Management That Keeps Decommissioning on Track

Surface decommissioning involves multiple activities, safety considerations, regulatory requirements, and coordination challenges. Our project management team ensures everything happens in the right sequence, safely, and in compliance with all applicable regulations.

Whether we're handling a single wellhead cut and cap or a complete facility teardown, you get experienced project management that keeps work moving efficiently and safely.

Surface Decommissioning Across Alberta

Our project management team and field crews operate throughout Alberta. Whether your sites requiring decommissioning are concentrated in one area or scattered across the province, we have the geographic coverage and equipment to execute decommissioning projects efficiently.

Contact Your Complete Decommissioning Team

Surface decommissioning is the first step toward closing out liability and achieving reclamation certificates. If you have inactive wells, facilities, or equipment that need decommissioning before reclamation can proceed, Terra-Sano can help. Let's get your sites moving.

Contact Terra-Sano today to discuss your surface decommissioning needs.

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Page Summary
  • Proper decommissioning sets foundation for successful environmental assessment, remediation, and reclamation
  • Wellhead cut and cap, underground tank removal, and complete facility decommissioning across Alberta
  • Internal pipe cutting tools, pipeline pigging, and field welding capabilities handle specialized decommissioning challenges