WITH most final environmental approvals in hand from State and Federal Government agencies Esso is continuing early decommissioning work on 12 Bass Strait oil platforms.
The decommissioned oil platforms will be transferred to Barry Beach Marine Terminal in the fourth quarter of 2027 aboard giant, custom-built motorised barges.
Speaking at Leongatha and Foster as part of Esso’s quarterly consultation series Esso Decommissioning Project Manager Richard Perry said the quay wall at Barry Beach will be strengthened for the project rather than extended and deepened.
Mr Perry said a relatively constant workforce of between 50 and 60 will be employed at Barry Beach for the various stages of the project including construction and receipt.
“There will be opportunities for workers with construction skills from early next year,” said Mr Perry.
“Once we move to receipt of the platforms the need for locally sourced construction skills will switch to marine loading and shipping skills. Marine loading and shipping are a different speciality.”
The third stage of the project the dismantling and recycling of the decommissioned oil platforms is planned to take place from 2028 to 2030.
Mr Perry would not be drawn on the likely role for Barry Beach beyond 2030.
“Barry Beach Marine Terminal was established to support the development and operation of the offshore oil and gas industry and has been part of South Gippsland’s industrial precinct for over five decades.”
Signing off on environmental safeguards, Esso said regulators had found no inputs that would require additional controls.
“There will be no impact on the Ramsar Wetlands,” said Mr Perry.
Esso supports Barry Beach being used for future gas production and wind project maintenance. Any plans to open up Barry Beach to potential offshore wind power operators have been put on hold due to the stalled State Government tender process.
Although the consultation session at Leongatha attracted only a small number of interested people a similar session held earlier in the week at Foster attracted fourteen local residents.
According to Mr Perry the main concerns expressed at Foster were firstly trying to understand what the decommissioning plans were and then to ensure any changes would not impact Corner Inlet.
“We avoided cutting down significant re-growth at Barry Beach by changing the loading vehicles from skidding to trailers which avoids the need to impact vegetation.”
“The Esso consultation series will continue in 2026 and beyond to keep local communities informed and engaged,” said Mr Perry.
