The review assessed Australian offshore oil and gas decommissioning related studies published in peer reviewed journals over the ten year period from 2016 to 2025. The review included 33 studies.
Findings indicate that the environmental decommissioning research undertaken in Australia is largely focused on the potential habitat value of structures left in the marine environment, while research that may expose the risk of in-situ abandonment is far more limited. The current research agenda is likely shaped by the role of the oil and gas industry as a major funder of decommissioning research.
Research focus for studies:
- 24 of 33 studies focussed on the potential benefits of infrastructure as habitat. These studies covered the potential for infrastructure to support ocean biodiversity, commercial fisheries and ecological connectivity.
- Nine of the 33 studies focussed on the impacts of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) and other contaminants on marine environments. These studies were not able to assess longer term environmental impacts of NORMs or contaminants.
- Only one study considered invasive species risk when oil and gas structures are left in place, and this wasn’t the main focus for the study.
Funding sources for studies:
- 27 of the 33 studies received some or all of their funding from the oil and gas industry. Two of the 33 studies declared funding from undisclosed industry partners. Five studies did not declare any funding sources. One study did not receive industry funding but did receive university funding.
- Industry funders of research include Woodside, Chevron, BHP, ConocoPhillips, Vermillion Oil and Gas, Santos, Esso (ExxonMobil Subsidiary), Cooper Energy (now Amplitude Energy), National Energy Resources Australia, Shell and MMA offshore marine contractors (now Cyan Renewables).
- Other funders included the Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS), the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Macquarie University, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), the NetZero Technology Centre and the University of Aberdeen through the UK National Decommissioning Centre, the Scottish Funding Council, the Exmouth Fishing Club, RecFish West, and the Recreational Fishing Initiatives Fund and the Fisheries Division of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development of the Western Australian State Government.
The findings demonstrate that Australia’s offshore oil and gas decommissioning environmental research is currently insufficient to support a thorough environmental risks and benefits assessment of leaving oil and gas structure in the marine environment compared with its full removal.
