Geo Oceans was proud to partner with a global operator and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) to deliver an essential Decommissioning Environmental Survey offshore Western Australia. The campaign was conducted in support of upcoming platform removal activities and was designed to meet strict environmental and regulatory obligations.
Decommissioning Environmental Survey
Scope
Our comprehensive scope included:
- ROV visual assessments for fish and biota at the jacket and surrounding seabed
- ROV detailed inspections along the gas export pipeline corridor and adjacent seabed
- Deployment of Niskin bottle arrays to collect water quality samples at key locations
- Installation of acoustic loggers and SoundTraps to record underwater noise and marine acoustic profiles
- Fish sampling at both the platform and export pipeline to support ecological baseline studies
Equipment
Geo Oceans deployed a tailored inspection and environmental survey spread optimised for offshore data acquisition:
- Falcon HD ROVs – Versatile, compact vehicles ideal for environmental and structural inspections in complex subsea environments
- Vessel-mounted USBL – Ensuring accurate tracking and navigation of deployed equipment and ROVs
- ROV garage and deployment systems – For stable launch, recovery, and support of subsea survey operations
- Specialist environmental sampling equipment – Including Niskin bottle arrays and calibrated hydrophones
Australia’s 10-Year Decommissioning Landscape
Australia is entering a transformative decade in offshore oil and gas decommissioning, with more than 50 platforms and their associated pipelines
approaching end-of-life. The majority are located in legacy basins including the North West Shelf, Timor Sea, and Bass Strait.
Key trends shaping the landscape include:
- Stronger Regulation – Enforcement of clearer timelines, environmental accountability, and operator readiness
- Aging Offshore Assets – Infrastructure installed in the 1980s and 1990s now requires partial or full removal.
- Environmental Baselines – Pre-decommissioning surveys like this one are essential to define ecosystem health, inform planning
- Market Growth – Australia's decommissioning liability exceeds AUD $60 billion, creating significant demand for specialist services
Conclusion
This integrated marine survey provided high-quality environmental data to inform decommissioning strategies, satisfy regulatory requirements, and support sustainable ocean stewardship. Together with our partners, we are committed to helping stakeholders make informed decisions that safeguard Australia’s marine environment and promote a sustainable decommissioning future.
As a trusted partner in offshore inspections and marine environmental services, Geo Oceans is well-positioned to support the safe, compliant, and sustainable delivery of decommissioning across Australia’s offshore energy sector.