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Australian Energy Producers Journal Australian Energy Producers Journal Society
Journal of Australian Energy Producers
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Non peer reviewed)

On a mission to decommission?

Andy Aston A *
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A Turner & Townsend, London, UK.

* Correspondence to: andy.aston@turntown.co.uk

The APPEA Journal 62 S222-S225 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ21199
Accepted: 4 April 2022   Published: 13 May 2022

© 2022 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of APPEA.

Abstract

E&P operators with ageing assets are making informed investment decisions around financial commitments for later-life asset management through to full decommissioning and abandonment in a safe, environmentally sound and cost-effective way. Factors affecting decommissioning decisions include: Oil price, New technology, Regulatory requirements, Supply chain and contracting options. Operators are optimising the execution of decommissioning projects and consistently looking to improve efficiencies through decommissioning strategies, technologies and approaches. At the same time, a new focus on programmatic approaches, and the use of data are becoming more prevalent to eliminate waste and create cost saving opportunities. This paper provides: an overview on the decisions that need to be taken when commencing decommissioning activities; a review of the various models and strategies for decommissioning and abandonment; discussion on how traditional project approaches may not be appropriate in light of environmental and sustainability targets; and consideration of contracting options. The paper will appeal to E&P operators, major contractors and service providers.

Keywords: cost, demand, green, innovation, liabilities, ownership, performance, platforms, regulation, sustainable, technology.

Andy Aston is the Global Managing Director of the Turner & Townsend Natural Resource business. He is a capital projects professional with 20 years’ project and contract services experience. Andy has worked for major oil and gas operators on upstream, midstream and downstream projects both pre and post sanction. He specialises in contract strategy development, partnership and alliance contracting, contract management and business process development.


References

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