Anti-fossil fuels campaign group Friends of the Earth has accused oil and gas company Woodside of leaving a 2500-tonne, 83-metre largely submerged steel tower “to rot” just 16km from Ningaloo Reef.
“The riser turret mooring, which likely contains toxic chemicals, has been left to rot for years by a company which clearly doesn’t want to pay for its removal. NOPSEMA says it is investigating whether the poor maintenance of the tower is a breach of the law. Woodside is reported to want to sink the tower just 2km from Ningaloo Reef,” Friends of the Earth offshore fossil gas campaigner Jeff Waters said.
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“The offshore energy regulator, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA), has been issuing shutdown and other orders over the past couple of months, as the industry goes rogue and apparently throws caution to the wind.”
Waters said it was “only a matter of time before industry neglect and disrespect leads to an explosion and massive oil spill”.
“Thank goodness NOPSEMA appears to be doing its job, and keeping the workers and environment safe. But clearly this industry needs a bigger stick to its back,” he said.
A Woodside spokesperson said, “Woodside is continuing to undertake inspection and monitoring activities on the Nganhurra Riser Turret Mooring (RTM), in line with the currently accepted version of the Nganhurra Operations Cessation Environment Plan (EP), while progressing EP acceptance with the regulator to enable removal of the RTM.
“Activities to increase the RTM’s buoyancy are planned to be undertaken in late January/early February 2023, subject to vessel availability and regulatory approvals.
“The RTM is planned to be removed at the end of 2023 into early 2024, subject to approvals, weather conditions and vessel availability. Woodside plans to transport the RTM by barge to Henderson for local recycling or reuse opportunities.
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“Woodside will comply with the requirements outlined in NOPSEMA’s General Direction including taking all reasonable measures to continue to monitor the status of the RTM and mitigate any risks to the environment and other marine users.
“The Nganhurra RTM is located approximately 16km from the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area.”
