ExxonMobil investigated for Bass Strait pipeline rupture
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The news: A pipeline between two ExxonMobil oil platforms is being investigated as the source of a “sheen” spotted on the surface of the Bass Strait.
The numbers: In its 2023 Bass Strait Decommissioning report, Exxon explained that 10 of its platforms and 16 pipelines are no longer producing oil and gas. A further three platforms and five pipelines are not expected to support oil and gas production by 2025. Esso plans to decommission these assets as well as the eventual decommissioning of all producing assets in Bass Strait.
The context: Exxon notified the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority (NOPSEMA) on Saturday that the incident is linked to its pipeline which connects its West Kingfish and Kingfish A platforms in the Gippsland Basin between Victoria and Tasmania.
“The pipeline, which was reported to contain 95 per cent water at the time, has been isolated at both facility ends and is being depressurised. The facility has been offline for four weeks and continues to be so,” NOPSEMA said in a statement. “An investigation has been launched and NOPSEMA is content Esso is currently managing the incident appropriately. As the investigation is ongoing it would not be appropriate to comment more at this stage.”
What they said: Responding to the news, Louise Morris, offshore oil and gas campaign manager for the Australian Marine Conservation Society, told The Australian: “This rupture of a gas pipeline run by Esso is part of a vast network of dangerous, ageing and rusting offshore gas rigs in our oceans all overdue for shutting down. It is another example of why the offshore regulator NOPSEMA needs to be stronger in their regulatory oversight and transparency.”
