3 questions …   on decommissioning

In each edition of Pulse, we publish a short interview with an IOGP colleague or Committee Member. This month’s interview is with Siew-Ping Teo, IOGP’s recently appointed Decommissioning Manager.

1. What attracted you to the role of IOGP’s Decommissioning Manager?

I was scouting for meaningful opportunities, specifically ones where I could apply my project management skills to support environmental protection, a cause I am passionate about. In this role, I am excited to be able to do that, as well as applying my Shell decommissioning experience to ensure that we in the industry continue to do the right thing and to demonstrate to others that we’re doing the right thing, with science-driven decisions.

2. What are the key areas the Decommissioning Committee is currently working on?

The Committee works in three key themes: Technical, Regulatory and Advocacy, and Communication and Outreach. All of these themes are guided by our vision to be the industry’s global voice for decommissioning.

This year, in the Technical theme, we’ll be updating the Asset Retirement Obligation Guidelines and developing Practical Reefing Guidelines, collecting and disseminating the best practices and lessons on these topics from around the world.

In the Regulatory and Advocacy theme, IOGP continues to represent the industry at OSPAR and other regional seas convention meetings, responding to queries from regulators and other interested parties. We will also be setting up an Asia-Pacific focused subcommittee this year. IOGP’s past Reports 584 and 585 – Overview of International Offshore Decommissioning Regulations, Volumes 1 and 2 will be updated in the coming years.

With our Communication and Outreach efforts, we continue to share information on how the industry is addressing the challenges and opportunities faced in decommissioning in forums such as those organised by the UN Environment Programme, the London Convention/Protocol Scientific groups, as well as at external conferences, such as the Norwegian Petroleum Society’s North Seas Decommissioning Conference.

3. The profile of decommissioning is increasing. Why do you think that is?

The oil and gas industry has existed since the mid-1800s, with cronstruction of assets peaking in the 1970s. Many assets built during the 1970s boom are reaching the end of their field life. While decommissioning is not new, it is increasingly regulated and rightly so. We have seen issues and concerns around decommissioning globally, such as how the industry is meant to handle orphaned assets, in addition to the importance of creating a circular economy, maximizing opportunities around  recycling and reuse of structures as artificial reefs, for oil and gas production and carbon storage. IOGP’s Decommissioning Committee has the role to pull the industry together as one voice in response to the concerns and opportunities.