“Our research indicates that decisions on decommissioning in New Zealand need to reflect the unique requirements of each structure and there can be no one size fits all rule on how to proceed,” Elemental Environment Director Kate Bromfield told Rigzone.

“Decision-makers need to bear in mind the age and type of structures, the initial stakeholder involvement and the extent that stakeholders have been included in decommissioning planning, and the financial realities of any repurposing options, so a blanket approach will never be practical,” Bromfield added.

New Zealand’s Elemental Group, along with its partners at ERM and Victoria University Wellington, is undertaking a nation first study into the potential implications of total or partial decommissioning of offshore oil and gas installations and infrastructure.

The results of the study, which is funded by the Sustainable Seas National Science Challenge, are expected to assist decision-makers evaluate the social, economic and environmental risks and benefits associated with different options for decommissioning offshore structures in the future.

The study is scheduled to be completed by October 2018.