National Decommissioning Research Initiative (NDRI) phase 2 determining outcomes to inform offshore decommissioning options
Cassandra Schmidt A * and Luke Smith BA National Decommissioning Research Initiative, Perth, WA, Australia.
B Woodside Energy, Perth, WA, Australia.
The APPEA Journal 63 S325-S327 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ22050
Accepted: 15 February 2023 Published: 11 May 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.
Abstract
The Australian offshore oil and gas (O&G) industry is facing a significant decommissioning portfolio over the next few decades. In response to this, in 2019, eight Australian oil and gas operators and the National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) established the National Decommissioning Research Initiative (NDRI) with the aim to fill key knowledge gaps on the potential environmental impacts, risks and benefits of different decommissioning options in Australia’s offshore environment. In phase 1, seven research projects were undertaken covering the interaction that occurs between the environment and O&G infrastructure in Australia’s oceans. Phase 2 of the NDRI has now commenced with a focus on developing an ecological risk assessment guidance document for O&G titleholders to be able to undertake environmental risk assessments to determine if the level of contamination associated with different offshore decommissioning options is environmentally acceptable. The paper would describe the pathway to produce guidance on science-based acceptability criteria for contamination associated with O&G infrastructure: Research needed for the development of screening values to identify if a site-specific ecological risk assessment is required. Research plans are to be developed to identify the lines of evidence that can be used to determine if impacts and risks of any contamination are of an acceptable level. Ongoing engagement of regulators, researchers and other stakeholders is a critical component on the pathway forward.
Keywords: contaminants, decommissioning, Industry guidance material, marine research, oil and gas infrastructure.
Cassandra Schmidt is the Program Director of the National Decommissioning Research Initiative whose objective is to undertake independent science to better understand the impacts of decommissioning oil and gas structures on the Australian marine environment. In the last 20 years she has worked for major oil and gas companies managing complex environmental approvals, policy development and compliance monitoring programs for onshore and offshore activities within Australia and internationally. |
Luke Smith is the Head of Biodiversity and Science at Woodside Energy, where he is accountable for providing strategic and tactical leadership in the areas of environmental technical issues, key assurance processes, environmental approvals and external advocacy. He has over 25 years’ experience in undertaking and managing large marine research programs that focus on tropical ecosystems and species; with particular focus on ecological understanding, quantifying and predicting anthropogenic impacts, and developing effective management and mitigation strategies. He sits on a range of boards and committees including being the current Chair of the National Decommissioning Research Initiative. In addition, he holds an Adjunct Professorship at University of Western Australia. |
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