A recent report on Offshore Oil and Gas Decommissioning by the Australian Academy of Technology Sciences and Engineering highlights the surge in the development and deployment of advanced technologies tailored to the decommissioning process.
The oil and gas industry has embraced a sector-wide digital transformation, with the benefits of enhancing worker safety, reducing environmental impacts, driving efficiencies and cutting costs. This transformation has enabled a reduction in the number of workers on offshore facilities, for example, thanks to increasing remote operations and increased automation. There is likewise scope for the decommissioning sector to undergo a similar transformation.
However the report notes that, while digital technologies are a key enabler for more efficient decommissioning practices, they need to be accompanied by the further development of physical technologies to advance decommissioning processes.
One key area of technological advancement highlighted is the use of robotics and autonomous systems for subsea infrastructure removal and dismantling. These technologies enable precise and controlled operations in challenging offshore environments, such as the Gulf of Mexico, reducing the need for human intervention and minimising safety risks. Automated cutting systems use robotics and advanced machinery to perform precise cutting tasks during the removal phase of decommissioning, for example ROVs equipped with cutting devices can be used to cut pipes into sections, facilitating pipeline removal, and swarm robotics for collaborative subsea monitoring, involving the use of multiple small, autonomous robots for collaborative monitoring tasks, can enhance efficiency and coverage in subsea environments. The integration of AI and ML algorithms is enhancing the predictive maintenance of decommissioning equipment, facilitating process optimisation, and improving cost-effectiveness.
Rigless P&A processes are being explored globally due to potential cost efficiency gains, improved environmental compliance and enhanced safety outcomes, the report notes. This approach enables safe pressure testing, providing a comprehensive understanding of individual well conditions, leading to safer and more cost-effective P&A interventions. In addition, alternative barrier technologies such as thermite plug technology, resin plugs and bismuth alloy play an important role in ensuring the integrity of decommissioned wells as attentions shifts towards more cost-effective, efficient and environmentally compliant decommissioning solutions.
Another technological development highlighted is the application of advanced sensing and monitoring systems, which can assess environmental impacts and support risk assessment during decommissioning activities. This includes autonomous and remote systems equipped with state-of-the-art sensors, as well as satellite imagery. These technologies are also being used to provide real-time data on areas such as water quality, marine life and ecosystem health, helping operators to make informed decisions about decommissioning strategies and mitigating potential environmental risks.
Circular economy principles are increasingly driving innovation, the report notes, particularly in recycling and reusing decommissioned materials. Advanced material separation technologies and processing methods can be used to recover valuable resources from decommissioned equipment and structures, contributing to resource conservation, and reducing waste.
