Celebrating three years as Australia’s peak body for decommissioning

December 10, 2024 marks a significant milestone for the Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA), as we celebrate three years of independently serving as Australia’s peak body for decommissioning.

“Reaching our third anniversary is a proud moment for CODA. It reflects not only the strength of our partnerships but also the dedication and collaborative spirit of everyone involved in shaping the future of decommissioning in Australia. The work we’ve achieved together—delivering key studies, building industry resources, and fostering collaboration—has set a solid foundation for continued progress. I want to thank all our partners and the Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation Department of the WA Government for their invaluable support. Here’s to many more milestones ahead.” – Francis Norman, CEO, CODA

Over this period, CODA has grown to become a 130+ partner organisation, uniting industry stakeholders from across the entire supply chain. Together, we’ve worked to address key challenges, develop innovative solutions, and promote best practices in decommissioning.

Our commitment to advancing the industry is reflected in several studies and initiatives undertaken and completed in this period:

  • Decommissioning Forward Outlook: This dynamic, interactive tool provides comprehensive visibility into Australia’s offshore oil and gas infrastructure, supporting effective planning and fostering collaboration within the industry. View
  • Global Review of Decommissioning Planning and Execution Learnings: This study identifies key learnings from comparable jurisdictions, offering insights to inform improved planning and execution of future decommissioning projects in Australia. View
  • Development of a Decommissioning Innovation and Technology Roadmap: Highlighting innovative approaches and technologies, this roadmap draws inspiration from global practices to facilitate industry transformation in Australia’s offshore oil and gas sector. View
  • Understanding the Opportunity for Local Disposal and Recycling Pathways: This report explores opportunities for local disposal and recycling, aiming to enhance sustainability and efficiency in decommissioning processes. View
  • Western Australia Decommissioning Hub Location Study: Identifying optimal locations for decommissioning facilities, this study supports the establishment and growth of Australia’s domestic decommissioning, dismantling, recycling, and disposal industry. View
  • Skills Review for the Australian Oil & Gas Decommissioning Industry: This comprehensive review assesses current and future workforce capabilities, laying the foundation for a cohesive strategy to develop a skilled domestic workforce equipped to meet future challenges. View

These initiatives have not only advanced industry knowledge but also highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing the complexities of decommissioning.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners and collaborators for their ongoing support and shared commitment to this important work. A special acknowledgment goes to the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation of the Western Australian Government, whose support has been instrumental in CODA’s journey.

As we look to the future, CODA remains committed to fostering collaboration, driving progress, and delivering value for Australia’s decommissioning industry.

Australia’s Offshore Resources Decommissioning Roadmap: An opportunity for collaboration

Australia’s decommissioning sector has reached a pivotal moment with the release of the Offshore Resources Decommissioning Roadmap by the Albanese Government. This initiative outlines a $60 billion pipeline of opportunities for the responsible management of offshore infrastructure over the coming decades, providing a strong foundation for collaboration across the supply chain.

CODA CEO Francis Norman highlighted the significance of this milestone:

“The roadmap and its associated studies and reports will help to set expectations between parties as Australia’s decommissioning workload increases over the next ten years. It also recognises that engagement between federal, state, and territory governments is essential for achieving streamlined and effective planning.”

The Roadmap’s emphasis on coordinated planning and investment reflects the increasing importance of efficient and sustainable approaches to decommissioning. By fostering knowledge sharing and partnerships, the industry can meet growing challenges with innovative solutions and expertise.

With measures such as the establishment of a Decommissioning Directorate and partnerships like the UK MoU, the framework supports a collaborative and forward-thinking industry approach. CODA sees these steps as valuable enablers of an integrated supply chain that maximises economic and environmental outcomes.

“CODA has been working with companies and regulators in the UK, Norway, and Denmark for a number of years. Having this agreement in place is a recognition that decommissioning is both a global challenge and opportunity—one where we can all learn from each other.” – Francis Norman

The Roadmap highlights the scale of decommissioning in Australia, with significant opportunities for recycling, repurposing, and sustainable project execution. The economic benefits are substantial, particularly in regional hubs like Western Australia, where decommissioning activities can generate highly skilled roles and drive economic growth.

Supporting industry progress

CODA remains committed to providing insights, connections, and resources to support industry stakeholders. By encouraging best practices and facilitating discussions, we aim to help partners, and the wider industry navigate this transformative period effectively.

This milestone represents a strong signal of confidence in the sector’s ability to deliver high-quality decommissioning outcomes. As activity ramps up, the roadmap provides clarity and direction for businesses seeking to contribute to a competitive and sustainable future for offshore resources in Australia.

View Australia’s Offshore Resources Decommissioning Roadmap