Australia’s Largest Offshore Decommissioning Project Begins In Bass Strait

Allseas, a leading contractor in the offshore energy sector, has been awarded a historic contract to carry out Australia’s largest offshore decommissioning project.

The contract, given by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary Esso Australia, involves removing up to 12 retired platforms from the Gippsland Basin in the Bass Strait.

The platforms have a combined weight of about 60,000 tonnes, making this the biggest offshore decommissioning assignment in Australian history.

Allseas will use its vessel, Pioneering Spirit, known for its ability to lift entire offshore structures in one go. This will mark the vessel’s first operation in Australian waters.

The project is scheduled to begin in late 2027. For over 3-4 months, Allseas will remove up to 12 topsides and 11 steel jackets.

Once removed, the structures will be transferred to barges or vessels for load-in to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal in Victoria. From there, a separate onshore contractor will handle dismantling and recycling.

Engineering and project management teams in Perth and Melbourne have already started preparations, supported by specialists from Allseas offices in Delft and Kuala Lumpur.

“This landmark decommissioning project represents a significant milestone for Allseas in Australia,” says Evert van Herel, General Manager of Allseas Australia.

He further added that over the past 20 years, they’ve built a strong track record delivering subsea pipelay and construction services for major greenfield projects in these waters.

Herel adds “It’s an honour to now bring our expertise to the first removal of platforms of this scale from Australian waters.”

The Pioneering Spirit will use its industry-leading single-lift technology to remove the platforms in one operation, including both topsides and jackets.

This innovative approach removes the need for support barges and reduces emissions by cutting downfield time.

The vessel’s Jacket lift System (JLS), installed in 2022, further enhances its capabilities by allowing it to transport jackets in a near-vertical position.

The company expressed gratitude to Esso Australia for trusting them with the task and shared its commitment to executing the project successfully.

Reference: Allseas

Source: Maritime Shipping News