Decommissioning has changed significantly over the last 10 to 15 years, but it certainly hasn’t become any easier. It’s no longer being treated as a purely end-of-life activity, instead planned much earlier in the lifecycle, with serious cost, regulatory and execution focus behind it. With tens of billions of pounds expected to be spent across mature basins over the next decade, and Australia fast emerging as one of the next major markets, it’s a sector currently under real scrutiny.

With that in mind, I attended Decommissioning & Abandonment Australia 2026, hosted by the Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA) and Offshore Network. Over two days, operators, regulators and the wider supply chain spoke openly and pragmatically about the realities of decommissioning in Australia’s landscape. 

 I wanted to hear first-hand how the industry is preparing for the scale of work ahead, and whether Australia might become a blueprint for other mature basins facing similar challenges. 

Challenges acknowledged, not avoided 

Critically, no one in the room suggested the industry has all the answers. In fact, many of the discussions openly acknowledged the challenges that remain, including complex regulatory frameworks, the need for long-term investment, developing local capability, and providing the certainty the supply chain needs to commit. 

What impressed me was that none of these felt like uncomfortable topics. Operators, regulators and contractors were raising them in the same conversations, with the same level of candour. In my experience, that openness is what separates industries that talk about change, from those that deliver it. 

The shift from projects to programmes 

Across the operator sessions, several consistent themes emerged. There was strong recognition that predictable work pipelines are essential, and without visibility of future work, the supply chain simply can’t justify investing in people, equipment and innovation. Linked to that was a clear shift in mindset away from one-off projects and towards longer-term campaign planning, which unlocks efficiency, learning curves and better commercial outcomes. 

Several operators also spoke about engaging contractors earlier in the process, bringing specialist input in before offshore execution to reduce risk and remove avoidable scope. There was a real willingness to share lessons learned across the industry rather than treating each project in isolation, and a consistent acknowledgement that building capability is as much about people as it is about technology, with skills, experience and local talent mattering just as much as the kit involved. 

Regulation that enables, not just polices 

The regulator’s view was equally interesting, providing a clear focus on maintaining momentum while ensuring safe and environmentally responsible outcomes. While the regulatory landscape remains complex, particularly with the interaction between federal and state jurisdictions, there also appeared to be a genuine desire to provide clarity and enable progress, not just oversee it. 

That distinction matters. Regulation that enables good decisions to be made earlier is very different from regulation that purely sits in the way of delivery. 

One theme that came through repeatedly was the growing emphasis on front-end planning. Whether through pre-FEED/FEED studies or detailed engineering analysis, operators are investing earlier to better understand scope, risk and cost before entering execution. In a sector where uncertainty can quickly translate into significant cost overspill, early analysis is becoming increasingly valuable.  

Why this leaves me optimistic 

No jurisdiction operates in a perfect world, and Australia is no exception. But what stood out across the two days was a clear willingness to acknowledge the challenges, collaborate on solutions, and keep pushing forward. 

At a time when parts of the global decommissioning sector feel uncertain, Australia is building real momentum. If that collaborative mindset continues, I believe it has every chance of becoming one of the world’s leading decommissioning markets over the coming decades. 

If you were at D&A AUS 2026 and want to continue the conversation, or even if you weren’t there but want to talk through what it means for your programmes, I’d be glad to hear from you.