NESP MaC Project 1.19 – Scoping Study: Horizon scan of key science questions in the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas infrastructure 2021-2022 (Deakin University)

This record provides an overview of the NESP Marine and Coastal Hub small-scale study - "Scoping Study: Horizon scan of key science questions in the decommissioning of offshore oil and gas infrastructure". For specific data outputs from this project, please see child records associated with this metadata.

This project will address the growing global issue regarding the decommissioning of end-of-life offshore oil and gas (O&G) infrastructure with the aims of building the scientific evidence to support the decisions to either remove structures for onshore disposal (full removal is the default regulatory position in Australia under the OPGGS Act 2006) or leave them in the ocean for re-use as artificial reefs or other purposes (which would require a sea dumping permit under the Environmental Protection (Sea Dumping) Act 1981). The project will generate a collaborative scientific paper outlining the top pending science questions regarding the decommissioning of offshore O&G infrastructure and will provide a comprehensive road map for the coming decade on research priorities for this topic.

Planned Outputs
• Published open-sourced article within a peer-reviewed scientific journal