Held on 23 June 2021, the NDRI Science Symposium provided the first public overview of the six current projects funded by the National Decommissioning Research Initiative (NDRI).
At this knowledge-sharing event, each Project Lead discussed their project and the research they are undertaking to create a better understanding of habitat value of oil and gas structures, connectivity, invasive species, metal and non-metal degradation, and understanding the potential impact of contaminants.
Keynote speaker Dr Milton Love provided an international perspective of decommissioning research, sharing his extensive knowledge, as well as information on the rigs to reef program in Santa Barbara and the role of oil and gas platforms as fish habitat.
View the session recordings below.
Session 1
Welcome & Keynote Speaker
Introduction and Welcome: Andrew Taylor, General Manager Decommissioning, NERA & Professor Peter Macreadie, Chair of the NDRI Independent Science Advisory Board (ISAB)
Keynote speaker: Dr Milton Love, Research Biologist, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
Q&A facilitator: Professor Peter Macreadie, Professor of Marine Science, Deakin University Chair of ISAB
Session 2
Are artificial structures good or bad for marine life? What are the risks and benefits of full removal?
Facilitator: Andrew Taylor, General Manager Decommissioning, CODA
Project Leads & Guest Speakers:
Dr Dianne McLean, Fish Ecologist, Australian Institute of Marine Science Topic: Project 1.1 Assessing the habitat value of oil and gas infrastructure for fish and other marine organisms
Dr Michele Thums, Quantitative Ecologist, Australian Institute of Marine Science Topic: Project 1.2 The Influence of Oil and Gas Infrastructure on Ecological Connectivity in Marine Ecosystems
Professor Chad Hewitt, Director, Biosecurity and One Health Research Centre, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University Topic: Project 1.3 Understanding the spread risk of invasive marine species (IMS) in the context of decommissioning.
Dr Iain Suthers, Professor University of New South Wales and Sydney Institute of Marine Science; ISAB Science Advisory Board
Dr Milton Love, Research Biologist, Marine Science Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
Session 3
What might happen to structures if left in the ocean?
Facilitator:Dr Tom Cresswell, Senior Research Scientist — Ecotoxicology, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO)
Project Leads & Guest Speakers:
Professor Robert E Melchers, Professor of Civil Engineering, The University of Newcastle, Australia and Professor Mike YJ Tan, Professor of Applied Electrochemistry and Corrosion Technologies, Deakin University Topic: Project 2.1 Developing a Tool for Predicting the Lifespan and Corrosion Behaviour of Decommissioned Oil and Gas Metallic Infrastructure in the Ocean
Dr Ibukun Oluwoye, Research Fellow, Curtin Corrosion Centre, Curtin University Topic: Project 2.2 An Investigation into the Degradation of Non-Metallic Components of Oil and Gas Infrastructure in the Ocean
Associate Professor Stuart Higgins, Deputy Director – Curtin University Oil & Gas Innovation Centre, Curtin University Topic: Project 2.3 Risk-based Marine Impact Assessment of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) and Mercury from Decommissioning Oil and Gas Infrastructure