June Evening Technical Meeting

The Society for Underwater Technology invite you to the April 2026 Evening Technical Meeting:
"Decommissioning reframed: Beyond removal to real outcomes"

Presentations include:

Emilien Rulence, Atteris

In Australia, complete removal of subsea infrastructure is the base strategy for offshore decommissioning. While this approach is generally appropriate for small discrete structures, it can present significant challenges for larger components such as long submarine pipelines. This presentation explores some of these challenges and discusses why alternatives to full removal may sometimes deserve consideration.

The presentation does not advocate for abandonment. Instead, it demonstrates how selecting a decommissioning strategy can be best supported by a multi-criteria comparative assessment that balances factors extending beyond simple removability. Such an approach enables better-informed decisions and helps identify opportunities to improve the overall outcome.

The case study of a long export pipeline tied back to an onshore facility is used to illustrate the key factors and trade-offs associated with different decommissioning strategies.

Sander Scheffers, Hydrobiology

Offshore decommissioning is more than an engineering or waste management exercise. It is a complex environmental risk assessment challenge. As subsea infrastructure is removed, partly removed, or left in situ, plastics and other non-metallic materials, naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), and mercury require explicit consideration. These materials behave differently, create different uncertainties, and carry different regulatory implications. Plastics persist, fragment and create long-term microplastic and leachate pathways. NORMs may occur in scales, sludges and contaminated infrastructure, while mercury risks depend on speciation, mobility and bioavailability.

This presentation examines how these issues should be integrated into decommissioning ERAs, Environment Plans and option assessments, with emphasis on source terms, exposure pathways, sampling, analytical uncertainty, ALARP decision-making and long-term marine environmental protection.

Kingsley Wood, Vantris Energy
This presentation will examine our experience with two decommissioning approaches: offshore reefing of jackets and the onshore transport and decommissioning of comparable structures in subsequent campaigns. It will outline the distinct methodologies applied for environmental preparation and management in each context, highlighting key challenges, outcomes, and lessons learned. Through this comparison, the presentation provides insights into decision-making processes for decommissioning, long-term environmental stewardship, and strategies aimed at delivering meaningful outcomes beyond conventional removal practices.

Programme:

5.30 pm - 5.55 pm Registration

6.00 pm - 7.30 pm Presentations

7.30 pm - 8.30 pm Networking drinks & nibbles

For more information about the event visit our website.

Contact: SUT (08) 9481 0999 or [email protected]

Evening Technical Meetings cost:

Early Bird (For bookings up to 10th June 2026)

• $40 SUT Members
• $60 for Non-members
• $25 Student
• $160 for Corporate Member: Group Booking for 5pax**
• $290 for Corporate Member: Group Booking for 10pax**

Season Pass Registration (available for sale anytime)

• $175 for Members: 5-Ticket Season Pass*
• $290 for Non Members: 5-Ticket Season Pass*

* indicates registration for 5 consecutive Evening Meetings. You will automatically be registered for this ETM plus the following 4 Evening Meetings so further registration is not required. Should you be unable to attend one of these meetings then registration is transferable to another SUT member. To transfer a registration please email [email protected] with any changes to attendees.

** indicates registration for 5 or 10 places at this ETM.

Regular Registration (For bookings from 11th June 2026 until 2pm on 17th June 2026)

• $50 SUT Members
• $70 for Non-members
• $230 for Corporate Member: Group Booking for 5pax
• $440 for Corporate Member: Group Booking for 10pax

Late Registration/Onsite (For bookings after 2pm on 17th June 2026)

• $55 SUT Members
• $75 for Non-members

Thank you to our event sponsors:

Terms & Conditions for this event:

SUT Evening Technical Meeting registrations are online and will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

To confirm your place at the above SUT Evening Technical Meeting, you must register and pay online prior to the event. As this event series has previously sold out, early registration is recommended. Please note, online registration closes at 2pm on the day (unless sold out prior).

Payment during the registration process (via credit card or invoice) is required in order to secure your place/s. If using credit card it will be deducted at the time of registration and an email confirmation and email receipt/tax invoice from Eventbrite will be forwarded to the stipulated email address. If invoice requested, it will be sent to your email address at time of registration and payment will be required within 14 days from receipt of invoice. If payment is not received within this time your registration may be cancelled.

*Registrations are editable online via your Eventbrite registration link until 2pm on the day.

Cancellations

Registrations are fully refundable up until 1 week prior to the event, after this point they are transferable to a nominated person. If not able to transfer no refunds will be offered.

Should our event be postponed due to government regulations, attendees will have the option to have their ticket transferred to the postponed date or receive a full refund.

To confirm if your organisation is a Corporate Member please check the website https://sut.org/membership/corporate-members-directory/

1.5 CPD hours can be claimed for this event. Please keep the flyer and receipt for auditing purposes.

Should you have any questions please contact SUT on the above listed contact details.

Contact: SUT (08) 9481 0999 or [email protected]

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Host or Publisher Society for Underwater Technology - Perth Branch