Woodside has issued an update on the Minerva field decommissioning, with a focus on the removal of a pipeline from Commonwealth waters.
The company outlined anticipated timelines in a May 2026 Environmental Plan (EP) consultation sheet, with work on the horizon in the latter part of next year.
“Woodside Energy is planning to recommence subsea decommissioning activities for the Minerva field (previously operated by BHP Petroleum (Victoria) Pty Ltd),” the statement noted.
Work includes the removal of the Minerva pipeline bundle and stabilisation mattresses.
The field is located approximately 11 km south southwest of Port Campbell, Victoria, with infrastructure reaching across state and Commonwealth waters, in depths of approximately 15 – 60 metres.
“The proposed activity is planned to be undertaken, following acceptance of the EPs, between September 2027 and end of April 2028, outside the peak whale season,” the statement noted.
The duration of the proposed activity is expected to be 30–45 days in State and Commonwealth waters, respectively, for a total of 90 days subject to factors including regulatory approvals, vessel availability, weather, operational requirements and other circumstances.”
The works are planned to be completed no later than 30 April 2028, it added.
Woodside is the operator of Minerva field, and works alongside its joint venture partner, Amplitude Energy.
During 2025, wells were plugged and abandoned, and associated well infrastructure was removed in accordance with the accepted Minerva Plug and Abandonment (P&A) EP.
As well as timelines, the new EP consultation sheet also provides an overview of various activities, potential environmental impacts and risks, and the measures proposed to manage them ahead of the next phase of work.
The Minerva field ceased production in September 2019.Following cessation of production, the wells were suspended and the subsea system was preserved for decommissioning.
A vessel-based campaign was then conducted in 2021 to disconnect flowlines from wells and install barrier plugs.
To date, a total of around 1,671 tonnes of infrastructure have been removed from the Minerva Field, according to Woodside, with a recycling target of over 90% by weight.
