North Rankin complex in the ocean

North Rankin Complex, North West Shelf Project, Western Australia. Photo credit: Woodside Energy Ltd

The roadmap supports the Australian Government’s plan for a Future Made in Australia and our transition to net zero. It is part of our actions to make sure decommissioning activity happens in a timely, safe and environmentally responsible way. 

Oil and gas titleholders will spend an estimated $60 billion to decommission offshore infrastructure over the next 30–50 years. 

The roadmap outlines how we can ensure that offshore decommissioning activities benefit the Australian economy and the environment. This includes:

  • maximising the amount of decommissioning activity that happens domestically
  • growing Australia’s industrial capability in decommissioning activities
  • creating safe, high-quality jobs to service a decommissioning industry 
  • ensuring the industry pays for decommissioning 
  • building the capacity of Australia's recycling and waste management industry to manage decommissioned material. 

We developed the roadmap following extensive consultation with industry and the public.

Part of our approach to decommissioning is to set up an Offshore Decommissioning Directorate. The directorate will drive actions from the roadmap to help make decommissioning more efficient. 

It will also work with industry, governments and stakeholders to help address barriers to growing a decommissioning industry that cuts across sectors. This includes partnering with international governments to strengthen cooperation on offshore oil and gas decommissioning.