Transforming Australia’s approach to decommissioning research
Andrew Taylor A C and Peter I. Macreadie BA National Energy Resources Australia, Kensington, Australia.
B Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Burwood Vic. 3125, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: Andrew.taylor@nera.org.au
The APPEA Journal 61(2) 498-500 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ20074
Accepted: 4 March 2021 Published: 2 July 2021
Abstract
In 2018, Australian oil and gas (O&G) operators committed funds to a collaborative approach to research to improve the evidence base for O&G decommissioning decisions. This followed an unsuccessful bid to establish a cooperative research centre for decommissioning. Modelled on the INSITE North Sea program, the National Decommissioning Research Initiative (NDRI) was established for an initial period of 3 years, until July 2022, with funding of $3.4 million. Research is focused on understanding the impact that full removal or in situ decommissioning may have on the marine environment. The program is supported by Woodside Energy, Santos Limited, BHP, Chevron Australia, ExxonMobil, Shell Australia and Vermilion Oil and Gas Australia and managed by National Energy Resources Australia. This study describes the establishment of the NDRI and expected future developments.
Keywords: decommissioning, research, independent, science.
Andrew Taylor is the General Manager Decommissioning for NERA, the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centre tasked with transforming the energy sector. He has over 15 years of experience in strategy, policy and regulation across roles in the WA Government, APPEA and NERA. Andrew is the Program Director for the National Decommissioning Research Initiative. |
Professor Peter Macreadie is an Environmental Scientist. His research focuses on understanding and responding to the impacts of global change on aquatic ecosystems. His approach to research is multidisciplinary, spanning the fields of chemistry, ecology, microbiology, economics, policy and molecular biology. Peter is Head of Deakin University’s Blue Carbon Lab (www.bluecarbonlab.org) and holds the position of Professor in Marine Science. Email: p.macreadie@deakin.edu.au |
