Developing a Regional Framework for Offshore Decommissioning: Insights From Southeast Asia

Abstract

As offshore structures in the ASEAN and South Asia regions reach the end of their operational life, the decommissioning process has become a critical focus. Southeast Asia, with its 1,700 fixed offshore structures, will see the decommissioning of over 500 structures soon. This project addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with the safe and sustainable decommissioning of offshore structures, emphasizing the need for region-specific strategies. The study explores regulatory frameworks, environmental impact assessments, socio-economic implications, innovative technologies, and best practices tailored to these geographies to minimize environmental impact and improve safety. This project focuses on offshore decommissioning practices within Southeast Asia, assessing legislation, guidelines, and practices across the region. It highlights Thailand's leadership in prescriptive regulations and experience. It also develops safety enhancement methods for shallow water decommissioning and proposes a general decommissioning framework modeled after the United Kingdom’s practices to guide future initiatives. The need for a robust regime, drawing from established frameworks like those in the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, is emphasized, recommending adherence to international requirements and the development of a regional decommissioning framework. The Southeast Asia region has limited onshore dismantling yards, mainly located in Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Due to legal restrictions on transboundary movement of hazardous waste, each country must handle decommissioned structures independently. The study suggests upgrading shipbuilding and offshore structure fabrication yards to include dismantling capabilities, given the presence of primary facilities. It reviews regulations and case studies from Indonesia and Malaysia, benchmarking them against North Sea yards. The research highlights the need for facilities capable of hazardous waste handling, systematic layout planning for yard rearrangement, and specific upgrades to support decommissioning. The study provides an overview of hazardous waste and mercury waste management legislation and facilities in ASEAN nations. It conducts a comparative analysis of hazardous waste management facilities in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, assessing their compliance with national and international standards. For mercury waste, a case study of BMT Thailand, a leader in sustainable mercury and NORM waste management, is presented. Additionally, a review of NORM waste management systems in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam is carried out. The study finds inconsistencies among ASEAN countries in developing hazardous waste management legislation and facilities. It suggests using conceptual designs and guidance from Indonesian and Malaysian agencies to develop proper NORM waste disposal facilities. This comprehensive framework aims to facilitate a harmonized and efficient decommissioning process, promoting a transition towards a more environmentally responsible and economically viable offshore industry in the ASEAN and South Asia regions.