Xodus Group is set to support environmental approvals for Phases 2 and 3 of the Northern Endeavour Decommissioning Program, the next stage in removing one of Australia’s largest offshore oil field developments
The program,delivered by Australia’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) involves the staged decommissioning of the Laminaria-Corallina oil fields, 550km northwest of Darwin.
Phase 2 involves the permanent plugging and abandonment of the Laminaria-Corallina subsea wells, whereas Phase 3 will see the decommissioning and removal of the remaining subsea infrastructure.
In both phases, Xodus’ scope includes environmental impact assessments, EPBC approvals support, oil spill modelling, GIS services, regulatory engagement support, and implementation planning.
Phase 1 of the program, which is now complete, included the suspension of wells, the flushing of subsea infrastructure, and the disconnection and tow of the Northern Endeavour FPSO, a 274m long facility that had been permanently moored between the Laminaria and Corallina oil field. Xodus supported this phase with technical assurance and advisory support through a multi-year Technical and Project Support Services team.
For Phases 2 and 3, Xodus has partnered with Elemental Consulting Services, who also contributed to Phase 1 by supporting approvals for the FPSO operations contractor. This partnership will expand on detailed understanding of Phase 1, providing continuity and utilising program knowledge.
Carrie McIntosh, Xodus late life and decommissioning manager, said, “Northern Endeavour is one of the most significant decommissioning programmes under way in Asia Pacific. Our team has been involved since Phase 1 and being trusted to lead environmental approvals through to completion says a lot about the standard of work we’ve delivered with DISR.”
