Australia's Centre of Decommissioning (CODA) has released a new study exploring the infrastructure, capabilities and regulatory systems required to support offshore oil and gas decommissioning in the Northern Territory.
Its new Northern Territory Decommissioning Location Study evaluates ports and surrounding industries that could facilitate the dismantling, recycling and disposal of equipment recovered from the Browse and Bonaparte basins over the next 40 years.
The study confirms there are “credible opportunities” for the Northern Territory, that are most relevant to subsea infrastructure and mooring systems associated with assets such as Northern Endeavour, Montara, Blacktip, Barossa and Ichthys.
CODA’s CEO Francis Norman said the report highlights the importance of coordinated planning and investment across jurisdictions.
“The Northern Territory has a real opportunity to play a role in Australia’s offshore decommissioning future,” said Norman.
“By identifying practical pathways to build local capability and work in alignment with national infrastructure, this study supports a more collaborative and connected approach to end-of-life asset management.”
Specifically, Darwin Harbour offers multiple viable receival points, including the East Arm Wharf, Marine Supply Base, Darwin Ship Lift and the proposed Middle Arm Module Offloading Facility, the report notes.
The study also highlights that intermittent demand and limited local waste treatment capacity present challenges to establishing a dedicated and continuous decommissioning industry in the Northern Territory.
The findings also reinforce the importance of clear regulatory processes and long-term infrastructure planning.
This includes opportunities to integrate with national waste treatment networks and future facilities such as the Chandler geological repository and Whyalla’s Electric Arc Furnaces.
The study was commissioned by CODA and developed by Kent, drawing on its global decommissioning expertise to assess infrastructure needs and opportunities in the Northern Territory.
