Esso Australia continues early decommissioning works in Bass Strait

Following the safe conclusion of plug and abandonment activities on the Mackerel offshore facility earlier this year, Esso Australia has mobilised a second rig to carry out further early decommissioning works in Bass Strait.

Crews on Rig 22 and HWT 600 are currently completing works to safely plug 46 wells on the Kingfish B and Fortescue platforms that are no longer in production.

“This is the first time Esso Australia has mobilised two work-over rigs to simultaneously carry out plug and abandonment activities in Bass Strait, as part of our commitment to decommissioning our Bass Strait offshore facilities at the right time, and in the right way,” said Decommissioning Asset Manager, Simon Kemp.

“The process of decommissioning offshore facilities presents complex challenges, but actions taken over the years to preserve well conditions after production was suspended are supporting efficient plug and abandonment campaigns.”

A number of learnings from the Mackerel campaign are being applied to the work currently underway on Fortescue and Kingfish B.

“We scheduled the well abandonment activities based on the innovative approach that we used on Mackerel, leading to significant savings and efficiencies,” said Simon.

“Essentially we are completing abandonment activities on the lower sections of all wells, followed by works on the upper sections, rather than completing the abandonment one well at a time as we would have previously.

“The team also worked with offshore regulator, NOPSEMA, to apply an innovative approach to cement via tubing, as trialled on Mackerel and Whiting, to the work on Fortescue and Kingfish B.”

You can learn more about Esso Australia's commitment to decommissioning our offshore facilities in Bass Strait here.