Gippsland Basin Decommissioning EP now available

Today NOPSEMA has published Esso Australia’s first phase Gippsland Basin Decommissioning Environment Plan (EP) for public comment.  

EPs for decommissioning are not required to be put out for public comment. In this instance NOPSEMA is facilitating a voluntary public comment process initiated by Esso to provide opportunity for all interested stakeholders to give feedback. Once the public comment period concludes Esso will revise the EP and submit to NOPSEMA for assessment. 

The activities described in this EP relate to the proposed decommissioning ‘end states’ for Steel Piled Jacket platforms in Bass Strait, where an end state is proposed that is different to the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 requirement for complete removal of all property. The EP does not detail how the decommissioning activities will be carried out and further EPs will be required to approve decommissioning activities to commence. 

Only feedback relating to the activities of the EP will be considered. Any feedback relating to any other aspect of Esso Australia’s operations and/or fundamental objections to petroleum activities will not be taken into consideration.  

The public comment period will conclude at 11:59 pm (AWST) 31 August, 2022. 

For more information on Esso Australia’s decommissioning program visit Decommissioning in Bass Strait I ExxonMobil Australia, which also includes a summary of the EP. 

To review the EP, visit NOPSEMA's Consultation Hub.