Esso is the operator of the assets in the Bass Strait that are part of the Gippsland Basin Joint Venture. In total, assets comprise approximately 400 wells, six subsea facilities, and more than 800 kilometers of subsea pipelines, and 19 platforms. After delivering energy to Australia for over 50 years, Esso is planning to undertake the first Bass Strait decommissioning campaign.

With approximately 60,000 tonnes of offshore structures to be removed and a target to recycle over 95 percent of materials, the project represents a major milestone for Australia’s decommissioning and circular economy ambitions.

ABL’s operations in Australia were commissioned by Esso to provide marine warranty survey (MWS) services to support in the safe and efficient delivery of the first phase of the decommissioning campaign.

Preparations for the campaign are well advanced, with the offshore lifting campaign to remove up to 13 platforms scheduled to commence in 2027 using Allseas’s 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. 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,” said Adam Solomons, East Coast Manager at ABL Australia.

ABL brings more than four decades of decommissioning experience, supporting offshore oil and gas and offshore wind projects globally, offering services from feasibility and owner’s engineering through to marine consultancy and MWS.

ABL’s Australian operation is headquartered in Perth, with offices in Sydney and Brisbane, and a presence in Melbourne through its sister company, renewable energy consultancy OWC.

ABL is part of the Oslo-listed ABL Group.