Aberdeen-based energy consultancy Xodus has expanded its role on a decommissioning program in Australian waters, supporting environmental approvals for the next phases in the removal of one of the country’s largest offshore oil field developments.
Xodus has confirmed that it will support environmental approvals for phases 2 and 3 of the Northern Endeavour decommissioning program, delivered by Australia’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR), which involves the staged decommissioning of the Laminaria-Corallina oil fields, located approximately 550 kilometers northwest of Darwin.
While Phase 2 covers the permanent plugging and abandonment of the Laminaria-Corallina subsea wells, Phase 3 will involve the decommissioning and removal of the remaining subsea infrastructure. The Aberdeen-based firm’s scope across both phases entails environmental impact assessments, EPBC Act approvals support, oil spill modelling, GIS services, regulatory engagement support and implementation planning.
Carrie McIntosh , Xodus Late Life & Decommissioning Manager, commented: “Northern Endeavour is one of the most significant decommissioning programmes underway in Asia Pacific. Our team has been involved since Phase 1 and being trusted to lead environmental approvals through to completion says a lot about the standard of work we’ve delivered with DISR.”
The first phase of the program, which is now operationally complete, encompassed the suspension of wells, the flushing of subsea infrastructure, and the disconnection and tow of the FPSO Northern Endeavour , a 274-meter-long facility that had been permanently moored between the Laminaria and Corallina oil fields.
The FPSO was in production mode from 1999 to 2019 in the Timor Sea, approximately 550 kilometers northwest of Darwin. The unit produced light crude oil from the Laminaria-Corallina fields in the petroleum production licence area AC/L5. Phase 1, completed in April 2025 , saw the FPSO severed from its subsea lifelines.
Xodus supported this phase through a multi-year technical and project support services team, providing technical assurance and advisory support. The company has partnered with Elemental Consulting Services for the next two phases.
Since Elemental also contributed to Phase 1, supporting approvals for the FPSO operations contractor, the Scottish player claims this partnership will build on a detailed understanding of Phase 1, providing continuity and leveraging program knowledge.