Author: Pawel Rybczynski

The Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA) is excited to welcome Renae Larsen as the new Program Director of the National Decommissioning Research Initiative (NDRI), bringing a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to this pivotal role. As former Director Cassy Schmidt bids farewell, her invaluable contributions are acknowledged and celebrated. The transition marks an exciting chapter for NDRI and the broader research community.

Renae Larsen’s decision to embrace the role was underscored by the compelling technical challenges and collaborative prospects that NDRI offers. With an extensive background in managing complex environmental monitoring and research projects in both industry and government domains, Renae’s expertise positions her as a valuable asset to the NDRI.

“The unique technical challenges and collaborative nature of the NDRI, as well as the broader application of the research outcomes on both a local and global scale, are what stood out to me the most.”

Looking ahead, Renae envisions building on the groundwork and momentum established during NDRI’s Phase 1. Her vision for Phase 2 centres around fostering collaboration among experts from diverse backgrounds, including industry, research organisations, government, and the community.

“NDRI has been crucial in bringing people from a diverse range of expertise, backgrounds, and organisations together, to improve the understanding of environmental interactions and challenges faced during the decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure in Australia’s marine environment.”

Renae’s background as a marine scientist and her substantial experience in coordinating advisory panels and collaborative research endeavours make her an ideal leader for NDRI. With a foundation in Fisheries Research and Environmental Consulting, she has since dedicated a large part of her career to the oil and gas sector in Western Australia, playing an instrumental role in marine and terrestrial environmental monitoring programs, environmental impact assessments, and risk evaluations. Renae’s expertise extends to effectively connecting industry stakeholders, scientific experts, and regulatory bodies to achieve collaborative research outcomes.

As Renae embarks on her leadership journey, CODA and the NDRI bid a fond farewell to outgoing Director Cassy Schmidt.

“I want to say a big thanks to you all and wish you all the best. It has been a great role, and I hope that CODA continues to open Australia’s eyes to the world of Decommissioning and the opportunities we have to get it right.” – Cassy Schmidt

Cassy’s contributions have undoubtedly paved the way for NDRI’s continued success.

The Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA) with the support of the Western Australian Government has taken a significant step forward in addressing the challenge of decommissioning skills gaps by initiating the delivery of a national skills review study. Deloitte, a leading professional services organisation, has been appointed to conduct the study.

The primary objective of the study is to provide an overview and gap analysis of the essential skills and capabilities required for the safe and efficient execution of current and future decommissioning projects, both onshore and offshore. By identifying skill gaps, the study will lay the foundation for a cohesive strategy to enhance decommissioning skills in Australia and develop a competent workforce capable of handling diverse work programs. The findings from this study will inform CODA’s longer-term decommissioning skills strategy framework.

According to CODA’s previous studies, the Australian offshore environment alone is projected to witness up to USD 40.5 billion worth of oil and gas decommissioning activity over the coming decades. This substantial volume, combined with the ongoing additional onshore decommissioning workload, presents a significant opportunity for Australian businesses participation. To seize this opportunity and foster a sustainable domestic decommissioning industry it is crucial to develop a local workforce with the necessary skills, training, and knowledge. Without a proactive plan to address current skills gaps, securing appropriately trained personnel will become challenging, leading to increased costs, delays in decommissioning projects and increased exposure to hazards.

Recognising that this challenge extends beyond regional boundaries, CODA and the Western Australian Government has identified the need for a coordinated effort and for the study to adopt a national perspective. Through this approach, the study will identify areas where skills can be transferred between regions as well as industries to foster knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders. This work will lead the way in addressing skills gaps issues and develop solutions that will benefit not only Western Australia, but the entire country.

Expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2023, the skills review will play a pivotal role in ensuring a competent and adaptable local workforce to meet the growing demand for oil and gas decommissioning in Australia.