Papua New Guinea (PNG) began oil exports in 1992, marking a
significant milestone in the country's energy sector. In recent years,
the landscape of oil production has evolved as mature oil fields
transition into gas fields. The Gobe fields, in particular, have seen
a rapid decline in oil production, now serving as crucial contributors
to the PNG liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.
This transformation has initiated the imperative process of
decommissioning, aimed at erasing all traces of previous operations.
The evolving energy dynamics in the region reflect the need for
strategic planning, which is where RESL's expertise comes into play,
helping to navigate these changes effectively.
This is the first decommissioning project for any installations in PNG and hence leaving an experience gap for the companies involved. Some of the difficulties caused by the global pandemic restricted visits to the sites.
The customary legacy of the indigenous population required special consideration.
Oil Search selected us for decommissioning in PNG's Gobe rainforest following a personal recommendation, underscoring our renowned expertise. Our consistent performance cemented an enduring partnership, marked by trust and successive project collaborations.
In 2017 Oil search requested that we do a strategic risk
assessment. This led to us being asked to produce an AACE class 5
cost estimate.
In 2018 we revisited the project and upgraded it to an AACE class
4 estimate.
In 2021 we verified the previous work using lidar scans and 3d
models where physical access was not possible.