Douglas Doe Audu

Recovery of Orphaned oil and gas structures and collaborative Eco-design (ROSCED). How do oil and gas companies currently decommission, and how could a regenerative system fit into their infrastructure lifecycle?

Decommissioning of petroleum installations is a hot topic today, as an increasing number of these facilities worldwide have been left orphaned, and hundreds more are approaching the end of their productive lives. With the global shift toward more sustainable building and infrastructure, the energy industry is gradually transitioning to a post-hydrocarbon economy. Removal of obsolete infrastructure has already commenced in some older oil and gas jurisdictions, yet much remains to be removed. Many jurisdictions have blanket regulations requiring the removal of disused infrastructure, while other existing and amended regulations still lack clarity regarding asset retirement obligations (AROs). This lack of a systemic approach has resulted in substantial costs for removals and site restoration. As circularity becomes increasingly relevant across industrial sectors, incorporating circular principles into the lifecycle of these critical infrastructures can unlock new value in the transition to a post-hydrocarbon economy. In that sense, decommissioning presents both challenges and opportunities. It presents a challenge because removing obsolete installations is complex and costly. Still, it can also present an opportunity within the existing infrastructure, particularly in the current context of fair energy transition. This study investigates the adoption of the circular economy for the entire lifecycle of oil and gas assets through a multicriteria decision-making on removal options from a comprehensive set of alternatives tailored to each case, with the aim of overcoming barriers by clarifying circumstances, unravelling legislation, forming alliances, and sharing knowledge on current and future opportunities within oil and gas infrastructure.