Australian government contracts Wood as owner’s team for critical decommissioning scope

Wood has been awarded the role of Owner’s Team by the Australian Government, with responsibility for overseeing the first decommissioning phase of the Northern Endeavour Floating Production Storage and Offtake (FPSO) facility in the Timor Sea.

Working on behalf of the Australian Government, Wood will work closely with the Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources (DISER) and contractors to ensure the safe, efficient, and responsible initial phase of this critical decommissioning scope. This is the first time the government has selected a partner in this type of contract and will be key to building momentum in the country’s growing decommissioning market.

Ralph Ellis, Wood’s President of Operations across the Asia Pacific region, comments: “The responsible decommissioning of the Northern Endeavour FPSO is of great national interest, with safety, cost, and sustainability in sharp focus throughout.

“We are proud to have been selected by the Australian Government to represent their interests in the first phase of the field’s decommissioning journey. As Owner’s Team, we will leverage our unrivalled offshore decommissioning expertise garnered in mature basins across the world to support the successful delivery of this critical scope of work.

“We look forward to working closely with both DISER and the lead contractor on this important project.”

The Northern Endeavour is a 274m long FPSO, permanently moored between the Laminaria and Corallina oilfields, approximately 550km northwest of Darwin in the Timor Sea. Production began in 1999 and peaked at 170,000 barrels of oil per day.