Energy and marine consultancy ABL has been commissioned by Esso Australia Resources Pty Ltd (Esso) to provide marine warranty survey (MWS) services to support the safe and efficient delivery of the first phase of the Gippsland Decommissioning Campaign, Australia’s largest offshore decommissioning project.

Esso is the operator of the assets in the Bass Strait that are part of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture. These comprise around 400 wells, six subsea facilities and more than 800 kilometres of subsea pipelines, and 19 platforms.

Esso is now undertaking the first Bass Strait decommissioning campaign, which is set to play a big role in Australia’s decommissioning and circular economy ambitions, given it involves the removal of around 60,000 tonnes of offshore structures and a target to recycle over 95% of materials.

Preparations for the campaign are well advanced, with the offshore lifting campaign to remove up to 12 platforms scheduled to commence in 2027 using Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit. In preparation, ABL is conducting suitability surveys to validate the proposed marine spread, and technical review and approval of decommissioning documentation. Its scope of work will include on-site attendance at all warranted offshore operations to ensure activities are executed safely and in line with approved procedures.

“This is a landmark project for Australia’s offshore industry, involving highly complex marine operations, including offshore lifting, transportation and discharge of substantial tonnage of assets that are up to half a century old,” said Adam Solomons, East Coast manager at ABL Australia. “Our extensive track record and multi-disciplined expertise that we offer in decommissioning, alongside our deep experience in offshore Australia – makes ABL well positioned to support Esso in reducing risk and optimizing their operations.”

ABL, which is part of the Oslo-listed ABL Group and whose Australian operation is headquartered in Perth, will draw on more than four decades of decommissioning experience, offering services from feasibility and owner’s engineering through to marine consultancy and MWS.