The Xplore solution discovery program invites challenges associated with any part of the decommissioning work breakdown structure (from planning through execution and into site remediation and monitoring) and any aspect of the associated work programs for which there is either a recognised issue or for which improvement would have a net positive impact on the planning, safety or efficiency of its execution.

The basis of the program, however, is to enable the testing and evaluation of solutions and, ultimately, their deployment into decommissioning operations over meaningful timeframes that materially improve decommissioning projects and outcomes.

Potential challenges should therefore be considered in terms of both the scale and complexity of the issue, particularly the feasibility of running short-term proof of concept or pilot studies. This does not preclude consideration of challenges involving large-scale, long-term logistics or deployment of vessels and services, for example. Challenge statements, however, should, as far as possible, allow for solutions that can be effectively tested, modelled and evaluated at an appropriate scale over timeframes of weeks/months rather than months/years.

Challenges should not be restricted purely to perceived design and engineering issues. Workflows, digital platforms or even organisational interfaces and collaboration mechanisms that result in measurable process improvements and efficiencies are equally valid.

Solutions can be either be entirely new (untested in any industry to date) or new to decommissioning (established or emerging in adjacent or unrelated industry sectors or research fields).

A wide range of solution maturity and technology readiness levels will be considered. Solutions can be purely theoretical (i.e. unbuilt/untested) or ‘desktop’ demos (unscaled) through to commercially deployable at- or near-market products.

Xplore is open to all forms of solution, as long as the potential for them to result in a material improvement in the process or operation to which the challenge relates can be demonstrated. Digital and process improvement solutions will be considered alongside new technology and engineering applications. The deployment of technologies, processes and workflows established and operating in other industries to decommissioning challenges is also a valid Xplore solution.

CODA’s Xplore solution discovery program is supported by the WA Government’s Department of Jobs Tourism, Science & Innovation (JTSI). Both challenges and solutions, however, are invited from organisations, institutions, groups and individuals who are based anywhere in Australia. Where challenge owners or solution providers are based outside of WA, however, CODA invites consideration of the following eligibility guidelines:

• That the proponent has some recognisable presence in WA, contributing directly to the WA economy at any scale, and/or;
• That the outcomes of the process will have a measurable net benefit in WA (to include but not be limited to improvements to decommissioning work originating in or to be undertaken in WA, sourcing of materials, resources or labour in WA).

CODA’s Xplore solution discovery program uses a ‘prize challenge’ format.

As part of the Xplore process, CODA and the challenge owner(s) will agree to offer a specified monetary prize for the winning solution. This prize will be clearly visible as part of the challenge description on the Xplore online challenge portal.

Prizes will vary depending on the nature of the challenge and the parties involved. The default position is that the prize will be paid by CODA, but challenge owners are also welcome to either contribute to the prize money or to pay the full prize amount (depending on their preference).

Using the prize challenge format reduces many barriers to entry for those providers interested in developing proof-of-concept or pilot studies based on their solution. The prize is intended to partially or entirely cover these costs and thereby mitigate financial risks involved in participating in Xplore.