Decommissioning of the Northern Endeavour is set to enter its next significant stage, Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said today.

A $325 million contract has been signed with Petrofac Facilities Management Limited to deliver Phase 1 of the project. This will see the Northern Endeavour disconnected from the subsea equipment, and temporary suspension of wells. 

“The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to keep the Northern Endeavour and its workers safe while protecting the environment,” Minister Pitt said.

“Decommissioning the Northern Endeavour is a unique and unprecedented responsibility for the Commonwealth after its owners went into liquidation.

“We are working closely with industry and regulators to progress decommissioning as safely, efficiently, quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

“Petrofac Facilities Management Limited has been selected and engaged through a robust global, competitive procurement process. I thank all the respondents for their engagement on this important matter.”

Minister Pitt said Petrofac Facilities Management Limited has extensive global experience in successfully leading and delivering large-scale and complex offshore decommissioning projects.

Parliament last night passed legislation to impose a temporary levy on industry to recover the costs of decommissioning and remediating the oilfields and associated infrastructure. 

This delivers on the Australian Government’s commitment to ensuring Australian taxpayers aren’t left footing the bill. 

For more on the decommissioning project, click here