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https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-12/controversy-over-essos-plans-to-dismantle-offshore-gas-rigs/104076538>
'The network of offshore oil and gas platforms launched more than 50 years ago
in the Bass Strait turned Victoria into an Australian energy powerhouse.
But now the gas is dwindling and supplies are projected to drop by nearly 50
per cent by 2028, according to the Australian Energy Market Operator.
About half of ExxonMobil subsidiary Esso's platforms and pipelines in the Bass
Strait are no longer operational. And as rigs shut down the debate is raging
over what happens next.
"The concerns are that not all of the infrastructure is going to be removed,"
said Ange Moore, a Maritime Union of Australia representative who spent years
working on supply ships and semi-submersible rigs as they drilled offshore
wells and laid pipes.
Esso's plan for the first 12 platforms to be decommissioned is now before the
National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority
(NOPSEMA).
Depending on the depth of water, for some rigs Esso wants to remove platforms
and supports down to 55 metres beneath the surface.
Below that it wants to leave the legs and steel-piled jackets in the ocean
floor, and even pipelines in place.
"There's no excuse to leave it in the ocean, just because we don't know what to
do with it," Ms Moore said.
"I think it's very concerning that they would leave anything at all, when it's
technically feasible to remove."'
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
