The ESG landscape in oil and gas decommissioning and abandonment (D&A) is continuously evolving. Recent developments in industry initiatives and regulatory frameworks aim to pursue sustainable development goals (SDGs), protect the environment, enhance community engagement, and promote ethical governance.

This panel session will address key topics such as the evolution of environmental impact assessments, contributions to socio-economies, and governance structures, including updates to multi-criteria decision analyses (MCDA) that prioritise transparency and accountability. It will explore innovative ESG strategies and their impacts on operational efficiency and stakeholder management. The session aims to provide perspectives on integrating contributions to SDGs and ESG principles into D&A strategies and execution.

Decommissioning of offshore oil and gas infrastructure presents a significant  challenge that demands technological and innovative solutions. These solutions are crucial for enhancing cost efficient in decommissioning execution while upholding the highest standards of safety and environmental preservation.

Among the challenges faced in decommissioning execution are operational complexities and stringent regulatory demands. Addressing these challenges necessitates the integration of state-of-the-art technologies and innovative approaches within the industry. The adoption of such technologies is instrumental in driving significant enhancements in project timelines, cost compression, and ensuring strict adherence to regulatory requirements. 

By harnessing technology and innovative solutions, the industry is expected to effectively manage the complexities of the decommissioning execution, while contributing positively to sustainable practices and achieving excellent project delivery. 

In this panel session, industry experts will discuss the challenges and the implementation of technology and innovative solutions that facilitate decommissioning execution efficiency. 

Talent development is critical for the future of oil and gas decommissioning and abandonment (D&A), inclusive of both wells plug and abandonment (P&A) and facilities decommissioning, to ensure ongoing expertise and capability across the industry. Strategies for building a workforce with the right skills to effectively manage complex D&A projects are essential for ensuring On-Time, On-Budget, On-Scope (OTOBOS) projects.

This session will explore training programmess, knowledge transfer initiatives, and partnerships between industry, academia and governments, aimed at enhancing capabilities in D&A planning, engineering, effective execution and regulatory compliance. Successful talent development models will be highlighted, emphasising the importance of continuous learning and professional development in addressing current and future D&A challenges. Creating a talent pool is essential to ensuring that the ecosystem for D&A is well maintained. Therefore, the right skill sets need to be identified and embedded in the education system as early as possible.