ACCIONA has expanded its marine fleet with the addition of Australia’s largest registered jack-up barge, supporting the delivery of critical water infrastructure projects in Western Australia.
The vessel, named Beverley, measures 59.6 metres by 32 metres and is comparable in size to one and a half Olympic swimming pools or slightly more than four basketball courts. It operates on 78-metre legs that lift the platform above the ocean surface, creating a stable and elevated work environment. Designed for strong sea-state performance, the barge features a deck load capacity of 8 tonnes per square metre, helping to minimise the impact of swell, tides and currents. It is equipped with a 400-tonne crane, a helideck and accommodation for up to 50 workers, along with onboard kitchen, dining facilities, office spaces and a medical room to support continuous offshore operations.
The acquisition and commissioning of Beverley mark a significant strategic investment, enhancing ACCIONA’s capacity to execute complex marine infrastructure projects. The addition strengthens the company’s end-to-end capabilities, enabling more efficient and effective project delivery while ensuring access to advanced assets tailored to demanding offshore environments.
ACCIONA CEO for Australia and New Zealand Bede Noonan said Beverley will play a crucial role in the delivery of local projects and future marine works across the region and also carries personal significance for the Noonan family.
“Beverley is a game-changer for marine construction in Australia. Securing the largest registered jack-up barge in Australia supports our ability to deliver some of the most technically challenging, offshore infrastructure projects, at a time when sustainable water infrastructure solutions are more crucial than ever,” Mr Noonan said.
“Currently Beverley is central to the complex construction of the offshore intake structure for desalination projects and will help shape sustainable infrastructure projects for years to come.
“In keeping with maritime tradition, Andre [ACCIONA Chief Operating officer] and I have named the vessel after our mother, Beverley. It’s a tribute that reflects both our family’s connection to the industry and the long-standing custom of naming ships after women. It’s a proud moment for us and our family business.”
The introduction of Beverley highlights ACCIONA’s continued focus on innovation, capability development and the delivery of sustainable infrastructure across Australia and New Zealand.
In its Annual Report for 2025, Australia's Santos outlines its structured approach to decommissioning, with a focus on best practice in environmental management, safety and community engagement, and plans that address its decommissioning obligations, including regulatory and sustainability requirements.
In 2025, the company embedded the Decommissioning Project Process and Technical standards throughout its regional business units, for safe and efficient project delivery.
Attention is focused on decommissioning right from the outset, and continues throughout the project lifecycle, with decommissioning strategy and cost estimates defined as part of project investment decision. The decommissioning strategy, plan and cost estimates are updated regularly throughout the asset production phase and incorporated into operation and maintenance plans and budgets. The decommissioning plan addresses regulatory requirements, joint venture agreements, timing constraints, cost estimates, opportunities and risks.
Ten years prior to the cessation of production, opportunities are explored for asset repurposing, divestment or field life extension. With a focus on the repurposing of assets towards CCUS and other decarbonisation opportunities as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability and responsible asset management, Santos seeks to identify alternative uses for wells, infrastructure pipeline and facilities which have reached the end of their operational life, and actively assesses reservoirs and wells for their suitability for long-term CO2 storage. (For example it has repurposed reservoirs to support CO2 storage for the Moomba CCS project). It also looks at repurposing pipelines and processing facilities for new energy projects, such as transporting low carbon fuels.
Five years prior to production cessation, the company initiates the decommissioning process and develops a decommissioning plan.
After the cessation of production, decommissioning projects are executed following due processes and in accordance with regulatory requirements, with a focus on minimising environmental impact, restoring ecosystems or adapting them for reuse, and addressing residual environmental risks through post-decommissioning monitoring and mitigation. Platform, pipelines, subsea infrastructure and other facilities are decommissioned according to the approved environmental plan (EP).
Santos stresses its commitment to engaging local communities and stakeholders in decommissioning planning and activities, keeping them informed and involved, to enable transparency and social licence to operate, as well as to facilitate the management and mitigation of potential impacts.
The company also plays an active role in shaping industry-wide decommissioning practices, and influencing the future of decommissioning in Australia.
In its Annual Report, Santos also provides an update on specific decommissioning projects, including the safe decommissioning of wells in the Mutineer-Exeter-Fletcher-Finucane well decommissioning campaign, including the recycling of waste materials; the successful disconnection and recycling of the Ningaloo Vision FPSO in the Van Gogh-Coniston-Novara field; preparatory works for the removal of Harriet Alpha platform; support to non-operated joint ventures; and progress of decommissioning in the Cooper Basin.
ExxonMobil has provided a round up of its 2025 decommissioning activities off Australia’s Bass Strait, as well as plans for 2026.
Andy Hospodar, Senior Project Manager Australia Major Projects at Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd, summarised the company’s current position in the ExxonMobil Decommissioning Progress Report 2025.
It includes a busy programme ahead for the coming year across key offshore assets.
“Esso is progressing the safe shutdown and decommissioning of the non-producing Bass Strait facilities in consultation with stakeholders,” said Hospodar.
“At the same time, Esso continues to safely operate offshore platforms and subsea facilities that still produce energy for the region.”
Esso Australia Resources owns and operates the following assets in Bass Strait: 421 wells; 19 platforms; six subsea facilities; and more than 800 kilometres of subsea pipeline.
These assets form part of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture between Esso and Woodside Energy (Bass Strait) Pty Ltd (Woodside Energy) and the Kipper Unit Joint Venture (Esso, Woodside Energy, and Mitsui E&P Australia Pty Ltd).
Building on the momentum of 2024, Hospodar said that during 2025 Esso completed all well abandonments across all GD 817 listed wells, advanced facility preparation across multiple platforms and strengthened regulatory alignment through proactive Safety Case submissions and approvals.
“Decommissioning activities remain on track to meet key milestones,” he noted in the report, highlighting close engagement with official bodies such as the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA).
More Safety Cases are expected to be submitted to NOPSEMA in early 2026, he added, including flushing activities and Stasis Mode transition of Fortescue, and a combined MPSV campaign and transition to Stasis Mode for Flounder, Mackerel and Kingfish A.
“Development of the combined Safety Case covering future MPSV campaigns and transition to Stasis Mode for Bream A is [also] ongoing with completion targeted for the first quarter of 2026,” noted Hospodar in the report.
The group’s forward planning timeline for decommissioning actives in the area stretches into the 2030s, with work spread across multiple fields.
ASX-listed Bhagwan Marine Limited has stepped up its position to support Australia’s offshore industries, including involvement in the decommissioning effort, with the acquisition of rival firm Riverside Marine.
The Australian marine solutions company announced the acquisition recently, unveiling the transaction terms on a debt-free cash free basis with a normal level of working capital, for an enterprise value of up to US$130mn.
“This significant acquisition represents a step-change in scale and scope for Bhagwan, strengthening the company’s position as a preferred marine solutions partner,” it stated in a release to the ASX.
Founded in Brisbane in 1926 by the Campbell family, Riverside specialises in the management and operation of approximately 30 diverse vessels, including nine owned vessels, across five established brands.
The Riverside group has long-standing clients within the industrial resources, scientific research, transport and logistics sectors.
Riverside is forecasting FY26 revenue of $63mn and EBITDA of US$26mn, the ASX statement added.
Announcing the strategic rationale behind the deal, Bhagwan Marine cited a strong alignment and highly complementary service offerings.
“The acquisition brings together two founder-led businesses with a strong strategic fit, complementary services and a commitment to operational excellence,” a Bhagwan Marine media statement added.
The acquisition also further diversifies Bhagwan Marine’s offer across services, including third-party vessel operations, harbour tugs, sand dredging and commercial ferries, and across commodities, including iron ore, metallurgical coal and industrial sand.
It also boosts geographic spread with an established presence in North Queensland, and additional operations in Mackay and the Pilbara.
Bhagwan Marine added that the deal increases its recurring revenue base from around 40% to around 50%, supported by long-term contracts and high barriers to entry.
The company recently christened its newest vessel, 'Bhagwan Micah' at its Brisbane operational base, which could play a key role in the nation’s decommissioning drive, highlighting that it is purpose-built for the energy transition and critical infrastructure sectors.
Australia’s Woodside spent almost US$1bn on decommissioning activities around the globe last year, the company reported in an update recently.
“In 2025, Woodside continued execution of planned decommissioning activities spending approximately US$823mn across our portfolio.”
In Australia, it cited “significant progress” across the Enfield, Griffin and Stybarrow fields, offshore north west Western Australia, as well as the Minerva field, offshore Victoria.
Outside Australia, decommissioning is ongoing with work in Canada, at both the upstream Liard and Horn River basins and downstream Kitimat locations in British Columbia, and in the USA where one deepwater well has been plugged and abandoned and legacy site decommissioning is ongoing.
“Our priority as we conduct decommissioning work is the safety of our people and the environment,” the statement posted on its website added.
“We conduct this work using recovery methods developed by Woodside and our specialist contractors, who bring experience, technical know-how and specialist equipment required for the variety of activities in our decommissioning portfolio.”
Within Australia, work included the conclusion of the 10-well Stybarrow plugging campaign that commenced in 2024), the retrieval of the Echo Yodel umbilical and the completion of plugging and abandonment activities at the Minerva field.
“In 2025, final infrastructure was recovered from the Enfield field, concluding a multi-year decommissioning programme that included permanently plugging and abandoning all 18 Enfield wells, recovering and deconstructing the Nganhurra riser turret mooring, and removing flexible flowlines, umbilicals and other subsea structures,” the company stated.
“Deconstruction of the Nganhurra riser turret mooring reused, repurposed or recycled 99.6% of materials. Enfield is the first project that Woodside has taken from exploration through development and operations, to decommissioning. The remaining activity at Enfield is to complete final surveys, which are planned for 2026.”
The Gippsland Basin Joint Venture (GBJV), comprising Esso Australia and Woodside also continues planned decommissioning activities in the Bass Strait.
In 2025, 69 wells were plugged and abandoned, contributing to a cumulative total of more than 220 wells permanently plugged since the campaign commenced.
This includes the completion of plugging the Bream B and Kingfish A platform wells in the first half of 2025.
Woodside added that detailed engineering and execution planning, including submission of environmental approvals to regulators for assessment, is “well advanced” for the Bass Strait offshore platform removal campaign planned to commence in 2027.
Recfishwest, a non-profit organisation representing the interests of Western Australian recreational fishers, and global energy company Woodside have collaborated to install the Dampier Artificial Reef.
The Dampier Artificial Reef is a new, pupose-built artificial reef designed to boost recreational fishing opportunities and enhance marine biodiversity off the Western Australian coast. Backed by scientific research and community input, it has the support of the WA Government, City of Karratha, Traditional Owners and fishing clubs. It aims to create a new marine habitat and boost recreational fishing opportunities in the Pilbara region. The reef consists of 48 purpose-built concrete modules installed in approximately 35 metres of water, near Rosemary Island in the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia. Each module is designed with complex internal spaces and hard surfaces to encourage coral growth, shelter juvenile fish and attract larger species higher up the food chain, creating a thriving and sustainable marine ecosystem. The 48 concrete reef modules were installed on the seabed from Fugro’s multipurpose vessel, the Fugro Etive.
Over time, the site is expected to become a high-quality fishing location for species such as Spanish mackerel, cobia, emperor, cod and even sailfish – a welcome addition for local fishers and visiting anglers alike, while supporting local tourism. Similar projects, such as Exmouth’s King Reef, have transformed bare sand into vibrant habitats supporting more than 150 fish species within five years.
Recfishwest CEO Dr Andrew Rowland said, “The deployment of the Dampier Artificial Reef will provide new fishing opportunities while enhancing fish habitats. Our collaboration with Woodside demonstrates what can be achieved when industry and the recreational fishing community work together for positive outcomes.
“These scientifically designed structures build healthier oceans — supporting biodiversity, boosting fish stocks and strengthening ecosystem resilience. Most importantly, they create fantastic new fishing opportunities particularly in this instance for pelagic species like mackerel and sailfish, and all the flow-on benefits that brings to coastal communities,” he said.
Woodside acting executive vice president & chief operating officer Australia Breyden Lonnie said, "Woodside is excited to collaborate with Recfishwest and the local fishing community to bring this new reef to life. The reef is expected to provide a productive marine habitat for diverse species of algae and corals, supporting an abundance of fish life to feed and shelter. Not only is the reef expected to contribute to marine biodiversity; it will also be an added drawcard to boost fishing tourism to the Pilbara, supporting the local economy and communities."
The installation of the reef was funded by Woodside and its Scarborough Joint Venture partners JERA Australia and LNG Japan. Woodside’s joint venture partner in the Enfield Joint Venture, Mitsui E&P Australia, contributed to the acquisition of the concrete modules for the reef.
Subsea pipelines used by the oil and gas industry may contain naturally occurring radioactive materials, mercury, hydrocarbons, and heavy metals that pose a risk to human health and the environment, a parliamentary inquiry into decommissioning offshore oil and gas infrastructure has heard.
Appearing before the Legislative Council Environment and Planning Committee’s inquiry into decommissioning oil and gas infrastructure, Fern Cadman, Fossil Fuel Industry Campaigner at the Wilderness Society warned that Gippsland’s offshore region has around 800 km of subsea pipelines.
“Even if buried, eventually they will degrade, and all that is going to end up in the environment,” she told the Committee.
Stan Woodhouse from environmental organisation Friends of the Earth told the hearing that some contaminants can bioaccumulate and move through the food chain.
“If we leave it on the seabed, it will end up on our dinner plates,” he said.
The Committee is investigating the scale and legal ownership structure of the infrastructure, including offshore wells, pipelines, high-pressure transmission and low-pressure distribution systems and relevant projects in Commonwealth waters.
The environmental groups advocated for removing the pipelines before they have a chance to corrode.
“Industry says it’s too hard to remove them, but engineers say almost anything can be done, you just have to be prepared to pay for it and use the right tools,” Cadman added.
Instead, Victoria should treat the pipelines and other infrastructure as a potential resource and an opportunity to boost domestic steel recycling and cut emissions.
Jerusha Beresford, Sustainability Adviser at the Australian Steel Institute (ASI), urged the Committee to recognise the value of infrastructure such as oil platforms that have reached the end of their life.
“We are strongly recommending that the scrap steel recovered from the decommissioning of the Bass Strait oil and gas infrastructure is recognised as a valuable national resource and prioritised for local recycling into domestic steel manufacturing and not exported,” Beresford told the Committee.
According to ASI, the first tranche of decommissioning will yield 60,000 tonnes of high-grade steel from 12 retired platforms, with significantly more expected over the next decade.
“Demand for steel for renewable infrastructure alone is forecasted to be about 400,000 tonnes per year through to 2030…retaining scrap locally is essential to meet that demand,” he added.
The benefits extend beyond supply security. Using scrap steel in manufacturing dramatically reduces carbon intensity compared to primary production and can support Australia’s transition to low-emission steelmaking.
Beresford told the hearing that both electric arc furnaces and blast furnaces rely heavily on scrap, with the former using up to 90% recycled content.
Economic modelling also points to strong local gains.
ASI cited analysis showing that every 10,000 tonnes of scrap steel that’s processed domestically creates 37 jobs and $4.8mn in value-add, compared to just $1.3mn if exported.
“Scrap use lowers the carbon intensity of steelmaking by reducing reliance on primary resources like iron and coal…It is crucial in meeting Australia’s capability to manufacture low-emission steel products,” Beresford said.
However, he warned that without regulatory intervention, contractors may opt to export scrap for short-term financial gain.
“Unfortunately, the past has showed that sometimes scrap is exported because it is perceived to be an easier way to get rid of the waste and the contractor gets paid for it,” he added.
With Australia’s steel industry employing 100,000 people and generating $30bn annually, Beresford said the decommissioning pipeline represented a ‘once-in-a-generation' chance to strengthen domestic manufacturing, create jobs and advance the circular economy.
ExxonMobil Australia has issued a decommissioning update charting the activities of the Valaris 107 jack-up rig in the Bass Strait.
In a 30 January update on its LinkedIn social media page, Richard Perry, Project Manager, called the rig “one of the hardest working mobile offshore assets currently active in Bass Strait.”
Esso Australia’s Bass Strait decommissioning team reached several major milestones in 2025, the post noted, including investing nearly $3bn in early decommissioning works, safely sealing more than 200 wells in the Bass Strait, and removing and recycling over 10,000 tonnes of steel.
“A key enabler of this progress is the heavy duty Valaris 107 jack-up rig, which has been supporting activities across our operations since the end of 2024,” said Perry.
A jack-up rig is a mobile offshore platform with a floating hull and long, extendable legs that can be lowered to the seabed, lifting the entire platform above the waves to create a stable base for drilling or decommissioning wells or other underwater works.
To date, the Valaris 107 has safely sealed 26 wells across eight former oil and gas production facilities, Perry added.
He described the delivery of a campaign of such size and complexity on a single rig as a “remarkable achievement” and a “clear demonstration of the scale, ambition, and progress of Esso’s multi-year decommissioning programme in [the] Bass Strait, the largest of its kind in Australia.”
In addition to carrying out decommissioning work, the Valaris 107 is also supporting Esso Australia’s investment to deliver more gas to Australia.
Last year the rig drilled and installed the new Kipper 1b well, which started producing gas for Australian households and businesses near the end of 2025.
Its next task will be to start drilling wells for the Turrum Phase 3 project.
This $350mn project involves drilling five new wells in the Turrum and North Turrum gas fields to access currently undeveloped gas resources.
Turrum Phase 3 will be one of the largest gas developments on the east coast this decade and continues Esso Australia’s long history of reliably supplying gas to the domestic market for over 50 years, Perry noted.
Turrum is expected to come online before winter in 2027.
“As we continue our decommissioning journey, we remain focused on safety, environmental responsibility, and supporting local employment,” he added.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far—and even more excited about what’s to come.”
Australia's offshore oil and gas sector is entering a critical phase of decommissioning, as ageing infrastructure in regions like the Bass Strait and Western Australia reaches the end of its productive life.
With maturing fields driving activity, the industry faces substantial challenges in safely removing platforms, pipelines, and wells while minimising environmental impact and ensuring financial accountability.
Recent analysis by global energy consultancy Xodus, commissioned by the Australian Government, estimates the total decommissioning liability in Commonwealth waters at AUD43.6bn through 2070, or AUD66.8bn when adjusted for inflation.
This figure represents a significant reduction from the 2020 estimate of AUD61.8bn, attributed to improved efficiencies and better understanding of decommissioning processes.
The scope encompasses over 700 wells, 7,600 km of pipelines, and 520 subsea structures, with approximately 55% of the work anticipated before 2040.
Separately, the Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA) projects US$40bn in offshore activity over the next 50 years, emphasising well plugging and pipeline removal as primary costs.
Key projects illustrate progress. ExxonMobil Australia's Bass Strait programme, the nation's largest decommissioning effort, advanced significantly in 2025.
The team permanently sealed more than 200 wells and processed over 10,000 tonnes of steel and concrete for recycling or disposal.
Retired platforms have entered "stasis mode," secured and prepared for removal, with the Allseas Pioneering Spirit vessel scheduled to commence lifting operations in 2027.
Woodside Energy has also made strides in Western Australia.
Offshore decommissioning at the Enfield field, which began in 2022, is nearing completion.
While physical removal works are complete, post-decommissioning environmental obligations are still ongoing. According to Woodside, an annual report is scheduled for December 2026.
The Nganhurra Riser Turret Mooring was recovered in November 2023, and deconstruction achieved over 95% reuse or recycling by March 2024.
Ongoing work at the Griffin and Stybarrow fields includes the Griffin Riser Turret Mooring recovery in December 2024.
Government reforms are also bolstering the framework.
In November 2025, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) released a consultation paper on enhancing decommissioning planning, financial assurance, and compliance tools.
Additionally, the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Regulations 2025 have been remade, effective from 31 March 2026, to improve resource management.
As Australia transitions towards net-zero goals, these efforts underscore a commitment to responsible decommissioning, balancing economic realities with environmental stewardship. Industry collaboration, as highlighted in reflections on 2025's landscape, will be pivotal in navigating the ramp-up to 2027 and beyond.
Wood has secured a two-year contract extension with Woodside Energy for the continued deliverance of brownfield engineering, procurement and construction management services across its offshore assets at the North West Shelf Project.
Under the contract, which is worth up to US$65mn, Wood will deliver asset modifications to boost production, reliability and longevity across Woodside’s NWS offshore assets, including the North Rankin Complex and the Okha FPSO.
John Mtanios, President of Asia Pacific Operations at Wood, iterated, “This extension reflects the strength of our 35-year relationship with Woodside and the trust built through consistent performance and a shared drive for excellence. Since first securing this contract in 2013, our teams have developed deep knowledge of each assets and Woodside’s operational priorities. That insight enables us to go beyond safe, reliable operations – finding smarter ways to improve productivity, reduce costs and optimise performance.”
The NWS Project, located in Western Australia, is one of the largest LNG developments in the world and has supplied the region with affordable and reliable energy for decades.
One of Australia’s newest ships that could play a crucial role in the nation’s decommissioning effort has been christened.
Bhagwan Marine announced on 7 January, 2026 that it had named its newest vessel the 'Bhagwan Micah' at its Brisbane operational base — it is named in honour of the late Micah Kirk, a former member of the group's Melbourne team.
The company said the vessel is purpose-built for the energy transition and critical infrastructure sectors.
Formerly named ‘the Phoenix’, the Bhagwan Micah is a 38m state-of-the-art Stern Landing Vessel (SLV), designed for the exacting requirements of modern offshore energy and subsea operations, particularly oil and gas decommissioning, with the ability to work in shallow water environments, subsea inspection, maintenance and repair and defence logistics projects.
“This latest addition to our fleet marks another milestone in the company’s strategic growth as Australia’s leading provider of integrated marine solutions across offshore energy, subsea, ports and inshore logistics and defence sectors,” a Bhagwan Marine statement read.
“With a fleet now of over 100 vessels, Bhagwan Marine continues to position itself as the partner of choice for operators who demand proven reliability, technical excellence and low-risk project execution in complex marine environments.”
The vessel is secured under a five-year bareboat charter from BM Fleet, providing Bhagwan Marine with long-term control of a scarce, high-spec asset while maintaining capital flexibility for further fleet renewal.
“The Bhagwan Micah is not just another vessel – it is a strategic asset that reinforces Bhagwan Marine’s leadership in complex, high-consequence marine operations where safety, technical performance and environmental responsibility cannot be compromised,” the statement added.
Last August, in its 2025 results presentation, the company highlighted how it had grown its presence in the decommissioning sector.
It also highlighted future growth opportunities, citing “a substantial long-term pipeline of offshore oil and gas decommissioning projects” as well as potential work arising from ageing offshore assets requiring inspection, repair and maintenance.
Subsea decommissioning specialist Decom Engineering has provided an update on its work offshore Australia.
In a social media post titled “Live from the Seabed: TRACS-16 Performance in Australia” the company reveals action footage of its TRACS-16 tool performing live cutting operations on the seabed.
TRACS-16 (Twin Recovery & Cutting System) is the firm’s innovative modular tool that combines cutting, lifting and recovery, designed to cut and recover pipelines up to 20m long with diameters up to 16”, although custom sizes can also be engineered.
It is ideal for decommissioning operations, with the crane-deployable tool capable of recovering sections and returning them to the deck or relocating to a subsea basket.
In a video posted on LinkedIn, the company shows TRACS-16 at work, cutting away at an unspecified subsea decommissioning site offshore Australia.
“We are getting January off to a super start with some live offshore footage from our project in Australia,” the company stated in the post.
“Here is the TRACS-16 tool performing live cuts on the seabed. We are seriously happy with the performance of this new tool in our toolbox, delivering impressive results across the campaign.”
These results include its speed, with cycle times of as little as nine minutes, with individual cuts averaging as fast as four minutes and 30 seconds “with some ever faster,” it added.
It also cited the machinery’s durability, achieving 38 cuts per blade, “demonstrating the reliability of our proprietary cutting technology.”
The post added: “This level of efficiency is exactly how we help operators minimise vessel time and keep complex decommissioning projects on track.”
The TRAC 16’s quick connect system allows for seamless attachment and detachment of the C1-16 Chopsaw, which comes with a 1,040mm blade capable of making precise cuts through pipes up to 16″ in diameter.
It also includes ROV (remotely-operated vehicle) grab bars at both ends and near the hotstab panel, ensuring easy positioning and stabilisation by the ROV.
The system is operable via ROV or topside control package.
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