Decommissioning of the Northern Endeavour is set to enter its next significant stage, with a $325-million contract signed with Petrofac Facilities Management Limited to deliver Phase 1 of the project.

This will see the Northern Endeavour disconnected from the subsea equipment, and temporary suspension of wells.

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said: “The Australian Government is delivering on its commitment to keep the Northern Endeavour and its workers safe while protecting the environment.

“Decommissioning the Northern Endeavour is a unique and unprecedented responsibility for the Commonwealth after its owners went into liquidation.

“We are working closely with industry and regulators to progress decommissioning as safely, efficiently, quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

“Petrofac Facilities Management Limited has been selected and engaged through a robust global, competitive procurement process.”

Minister Pitt said Petrofac had extensive global experience in successfully leading and delivering large-scale and complex offshore decommissioning projects.

Parliament recently passed legislation to impose a temporary levy on industry to recover the costs of decommissioning and remediating the oilfields and associated infrastructure.