Energy Today sat down with Ventia contract director Jamie Armstrong to discuss the elements that go into a successful and sustainable decommissioning project, and how Ventia is already supporting key customers with their transition needs.
As Australia transitions to a new energy future, successful decommissioning and conversion of existing industrial facilities will play a key role.
Jamie Armstrong breaks down how Ventia is helping customers with their decommissioning, rehabilitation and remediation needs as they navigate the energy transition.
What sort of skills will be required to decommission, remediate and adapt industrial assets and facilities across Australia as the energy transition progresses?
There are several key areas that will become crucial over the coming years. Expertise in environmental science and engineering will be needed for effective decommissioning and remediation of assets, including knowledge of sustainable practices and waste management.
Additionally, skills in project management and regulatory compliance will be important for adapting facilities to new energy standards. I also think that automation will play a pivotal role in managing or adapting assets, as will artificial intelligence for optimising assets.
How is Ventia already supporting the energy transition across industrial facilities?
As just one example, in Western Australia, we’ve been working with bp since 2019 undertaking operational maintenance at its Kwinana Energy Hub. bp is transitioning its former oil refinery at Kwinana into an integrated energy hub with plans to produce and supply renewable fuels and hydrogen. To facilitate the transition, Ventia has supported the Decommissioning, De-energise and Isolate (DDI) campaign to safely prepare redundant oil refining infrastructure for demolition or removal.
From the outset of the DDI campaign, it was evident that management and interaction with significant hazardous materials was at the forefront of planning and risk assessment. Protocols were developed to ensure the safety of our people, environmental management of handling the products and regulatory compliance. Ventia developed a strategic approach to self-performing on the DDI scope.
Ventia has also worked with the bp Kwinana Energy Hub team to identify assets that have reuse or recycle value and assisted in the development of a waste mitigation strategy.
This incorporated removal of recyclable assets and segregation, thereby minimising product to landfill. An example of this is the electrical cabling that has progressively been removed from plant. Recycling a finite commodity such as copper in this context not only reduces waste due to contamination but provides financial benefit.
What should companies look for in a service provider doing decommissioning work?
When choosing a service provider for decommissioning work, companies should look for a track record of successful projects and deep expertise in regulatory compliance and environmental management. The provider should offer a comprehensive approach, including risk assessment, project planning, and effective waste management strategies. Strong safety protocols, transparent communication, and the ability to handle complex logistics are crucial for ensuring a smooth and efficient decommissioning process.
How do you look to set up a decommissioning or similar projects for success?
Just like any other major project, start with a thorough planning phase that includes detailed risk assessments and a clear project scope. Establish strong regulatory compliance and environmental management strategies to address legal and environmental concerns. The next and the most important is people.
Select a skilled team with expertise in relevant areas and ensure robust communication between each other and the broader stakeholders. Grant them licence and encourage them to innovate.
Utilise the years of experience in the team to find better alternatives. Additionally, develop a comprehensive project timeline with built-in flexibility for unexpected issues and prioritise safety protocols throughout the project lifecycle.
How do you and your team go about managing unexpected issues during a decommissioning or other large-scale projects?
My team and I follow a proactive and systematic approach. We start by establishing a robust risk management plan that identifies potential issues and outlines contingency strategies. When surprises arise, we quickly assess the impact, communicate clearly with all stakeholders, and adjust our plan as required. Regular check-ins and adaptive problem-solving are key to staying on track and minimising disruptions
How do you approach sustainability during a decommissioning project?
In a decommissioning project, after safety, sustainability is a top priority.
In many instances we are engaged at the early stages whereby we undertake a thorough audit to identify materials that can be recycled or repurposed. Our approach includes implementing waste mitigation strategies like sorting and separating materials to maximise recycling and minimise landfill use. We also explore opportunities to reuse valuable components and equipment where possible.
Additionally, we stay updated on best practices and regulatory requirements to ensure our methods align with the latest sustainability standards. There is also a financial benefit to recycling and with the increasing technology in the materials extraction process, more components will be able to be recycled and reused.
How important is the client and service provider relationship? What are some of the ways you have made this work over the years?
A strong, transparent, collaborative relationship with the client is the main ingredient of a strong project. It fosters clear communication, trust, and a shared commitment to project goals.
Over the years, I’ve focused on building this relationship by maintaining transparency, listening to and understanding the client needs and providing regular updates. Clients love innovation and you need to bring them along on the journey. It’s also important to prioritise flexibility and responsiveness to adapt to changing requirements and address concerns promptly. These practices help ensure a smooth workflow and successful project outcomes.
How do you go about learning lessons to improve the process during and after a large project?
During the project, we conduct regular reviews and debriefs to identify what’s working well and what could be improved, again promote innovation. We gather feedback from the team and stakeholders and document any issues and solutions.
After the project, we analyse these insights to refine our procedures and incorporate best practices into future projects. This continuous learning approach helps us enhance efficiency and effectiveness over time
For more information, visit the Ventia website.