Planning and preparation are underway for Australia’s largest offshore decommissioning project. Esso Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Australia, has awarded Allseas the contract to dismantle up to 12 retired platforms from the Gippsland Basin in the Bass Strait.
The platforms, with a combined weight of approximately 60,000 tonnes, mark a historic milestone for offshore operations in the region.
For the first time, Pioneering Spirit will bring its revolutionary single-lift technology to Australian waters. This cutting-edge capability enables the removal of entire offshore structures – both topsides and jackets – in a single lift, allowing the massive scope of work to be completed within just a few months.
“This landmark decommissioning project represents a significant milestone for Allseas in Australia,” said Evert van Herel, General Manager of Allseas Australia. “Over the past 20 years, we’ve built a strong track record delivering subsea pipelay and construction services for major greenfield projects in these waters. It’s an honour to now bring our expertise to the first removal of platforms of this scale from Australian waters.”
The ambitious timeline includes the removal of up to 12 topsides and 11 steel jackets during a 3–4-month campaign set to begin in late 2027. Once removed, the structures will be loaded onto barges or vessels for transport to the Barry Beach Marine Terminal in Victoria, where they will be dismantled and recycled by an onshore contractor.
The engineering and project management work is being led from Perth and Melbourne, with additional support from Allseas’ offices in Delft and Kuala Lumpur.
“This historic project gives us an opportunity to showcase the capability of our single-lift technology in challenging environments like the Bass Strait,” added Evert. “We’re very much looking forward to working with Esso Australia to make this a successful project and thank them for their trust in Allseas to carry out this landmark project!”
