NOPSEMA tells Woodside to stop decommissioning work

WOODSIDE has been ordered to stop decommissioning work in two West Australian gas fields by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) until it complies with directions from the regulator.

NOPSEMA said it had serious safety concerns about operational failures at multiple sites and issued formal directions to halt decommissioning at the Griffin oil and gas field and Stybarrow gas field.

The regulator described the incidents as “preventable” and criticised Woodside’s safety planning and execution.

Woodside claims it has made substantial progress towards decommissioning the Stybarrow, Griffin and Minerva fields and had removes more than 25,000 tonnes of infrastructure.

A media release from NOPSEMA said it had accepted a revised Cessation of Operations Environment Plan by Woodside, for the decommissioning of the Nganhurra riser turret mooring.

“Through accepting the environment plan, NOPSEMA has required Woodside to implement a range of protective measures to prevent and mitigate impacts to whale sharks, turtles, and seabirds,” the statement said.

“In addition, NOPSEMA has initiated regulatory compliance action due to Woodside being unable to comply with an originally approved plan to remove the equipment for onshore disposal. Due to the equipment’s poor condition and repair, this is no longer feasible without unacceptable risks to safety and the environment.

“Woodside has been issued with enforcement action in the form of a General Direction requiring wells be plugged or closed off, and property no longer in use to be removed in a timely and proper manner. The General Direction reinforces legal requirements regarding the removal of property associated with offshore petroleum activities, and carries significant civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance.

“Further, as Woodside is unable to decommission the riser turret mooring as originally approved, NOPSEMA is investigating possible breaches of the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006. The investigation will examine possible breaches of the law relating to requirements to maintain property in good condition and repair.

“Decommissioning of the riser turret mooring can now be through removal from the title area for placement on the seabed as part of an integrated artificial reef. Decommissioning in this way requires a permit under sea dumping legislation administered by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. This regulatory process is in addition to NOPSEMA’s assessment of Woodside’s environment plan.”