Month: July 2025

CODA has released a new study exploring the infrastructure, capability, and regulatory enablers required to support offshore oil and gas decommissioning in the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory Decommissioning Location Study evaluates ports and surrounding industries that could facilitate the receival, dismantling, recycling, and disposal of equipment recovered from the Browse and Bonaparte basins over the next 40 years.

This study confirms there are credible opportunities for the Northern Territory. These opportunities are most relevant to subsea infrastructure and mooring systems associated with assets such as Northern Endeavour, Montara, Blacktip, Barossa, and Ichthys.

Darwin Harbour offers multiple viable receival points, including the East Arm Wharf, Marine Supply Base, Darwin Ship Lift, and the proposed Middle Arm Module Offloading Facility. The study also highlights that intermittent demand and limited local waste treatment capacity present challenges to establishing a dedicated and continuous decommissioning industry in the NT.

The findings reinforce the importance of clear regulatory processes and long-term infrastructure planning. This includes opportunities to integrate with national waste treatment networks and future facilities such as the Chandler geological repository and Whyalla’s Electric Arc Furnaces.

CODA CEO Francis Norman said the report highlights the importance of coordinated planning and investment across jurisdictions.

“The Northern Territory has a real opportunity to play a role in Australia’s offshore decommissioning future. By identifying practical pathways to build local capability and work in alignment with national infrastructure, this study supports a more collaborative and connected approach to end-of-life asset management.”

The Northern Territory Decommissioning Location Study was commissioned by CODA and developed by Kent, drawing on their global decommissioning expertise to assess infrastructure needs and opportunities in the Northern Territory. We also acknowledge the support and input of the Northern Territory Government’s Department of Logistics and Infrastructure, as well as the many individuals and organisations who contributed their time and insights to inform this work.

For a more detailed insight into the study’s outcomes and actionable recommendations, we invite you to explore the public study.

View the study

CODA has recently launched three Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to support industry and stakeholder collaboration on priority decommissioning challenges and opportunities. These SIGs are designed to provide a forum to deepen engagement across the sector and support knowledge sharing, capability development, and integrated approaches.

The inaugural SIGs were established in direct response to consistent industry feedback on priority themes. Each group is guided by a committee drawn from industry participants, and supported by a CODA representative, working together to shape discussions and progress actions identified by the group.

Meetings are held approximately every two months and focus on reviewing developments in the SIG’s focus areas, sharing insights, and identifying opportunities for collaboration.

The Inaugural Special Interest Groups

Hazardous Materials Management

Focusing on best-practice hazardous materials management and lifecycle approaches to contaminants commonly encountered during decommissioning. The group will work to strengthen links between operators, the supply chain, regulators, and industry bodies, while promoting education, sharing of experience, and diverse perspectives.

Well Abandonment

Promoting safety, innovation, and efficiency in support of sustainable, world-class well P&A operations in both onshore and offshore contexts. Current areas of focus include:

• Improved approaches to regulator engagement and barrier technology qualification
• Establishing an independent industry body that can act as a conduit for and accelerator of new ideas and alternative approaches
• Alignment of offshore and onshore industry sectors to foster cross-learning and explore lower cost verification and testing environments
• Broader knowledge sharing and stakeholder engagement

Decommissioning Project Management

Exploring challenges and opportunities in planning and executing decommissioning projects, drawing from global and local experience. Focus areas include:

• Benchmarking cost and schedule
• Contracting strategy
• Risk management and regulatory engagement
• Approaches to managing decommissioning market volatility

Membership is currently open to personnel from all CODA Partners, with numerous organisations already involved across these inaugural SIGs. CODA welcomes expressions of interest from Partner organisations looking to contribute to these collaborative, action-oriented groups.

We thank all those who have contributed to the successful formation of these initial SIGs.