A1234978 - Decision Paper - NOPSEMA Compliance Committee - Woodside Decommissioning General Directions - 16 July 2025

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NOPSEMA's Compliance Committee endorsed revoking and reissuing General Directions 831, 832, and 833 for Woodside's decommissioning of unnamed petroleum projects (including Minerva). The decision extends project timelines to allow safer, more thorough planning after multiple health, safety, and environmental incidents occurred during execution. NOPSEMA inspections identified non-compliance with permitting documents and deficiencies in Woodside's risk assessments and management. Woodside had prioritised speed over safety, omitting mitigative controls due to tight deadlines and subsequently requested additional years to complete operations safely. Revised or new Safety Cases and Environment Plans may be required for remaining removal activities. The extended timeframes may face stakeholder criticism as a lenient regulatory response.