Dawn has worked across the decommissioning sector for more than a decade, developing Bureau Veritas' global decommissioning offering and working with operators, contractors, regulators and others across the supply chain. With a background in business rather than engineering or science, she brings a commercial perspective to a sector that is often viewed through a technical lens.

Francis and Dawn discuss the changing conversation around decommissioning, including the growing focus on financial exposure, more realistic cost estimates, residual value and the potential to reuse and repurpose existing infrastructure. They also explore why decommissioning should be considered much earlier in an asset's life, including designing new infrastructure with future repurposing opportunities in mind.

The conversation also takes a detour into Dawn's other business, a wraparound childcare service she started to solve a problem she was experiencing herself. What began as a solution for her own family has grown into a business supporting hundreds of children and their families in the north-east of Scotland.

Get in touch with ASCO via their website - https://ascoworld.com/

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-jane-smith-crwm-mciwm-02057655/

The discussion also covers circular economy initiatives like Nordic Circles, infrastructure readiness, and the social value drawing people into the sector. With a clear-eyed look at the sunk cost mindset and a call for broader industry recognition, it’s a thoughtful update on how decommissioning is evolving globally and what it means for us in Australia.

The conversation explores the significant progress being made across Australia's decommissioning landscape, the importance of planning and risk management, and how NOPSEMA assesses new technologies and approaches while maintaining safety and environmental standards.

Sue also shares her perspective on major upcoming projects, alternative end states, the lessons Australia is drawing from international experience, and the opportunities to continue building Australia's decommissioning capability into the future.

The conversation explores how Offshore Network first entered the decommissioning space, the role conferences play in bringing together operators, regulators, contractors, and the wider supply chain, and how industry collaboration has evolved over recent years. Tommy and Rachael reflect on the rapid growth of D&A Australia, the increasing openness across the sector, and the importance of creating environments where organisations can openly share both successes and challenges.

Francis, Tommy, and Rachael also discuss the similarities emerging across international markets, the value of face-to-face engagement in an increasingly digital world, and some of the major themes shaping current industry conversations, including vessel scarcity, ports and infrastructure, and collaboration.

The episode also provides a preview of this year’s D&A Australia conference, taking place in Perth on 23–24 June 2026.

Rean shares her path from marine and environmental science into regulation, government and industry, including her time at NOPSEMA and in state government. She reflects on how growing up across multiple countries shaped her resilience, leadership style and strong focus on collaboration.

The conversation also looks ahead, with Rean outlining what excites her about decommissioning in Australia, the opportunity to help shape an emerging industry, and her priorities at CODA as she brings together regulators, operators and the supply chain to help address shared challenges.

Hosted by SINTEF and supported by the Research Council of Norway and a broad group of industry partners, SWIPA brings together operators, researchers and universities to explore new approaches to well barrier design and performance. Harald shares insights into the structure of the program, including its focus on material science, large-scale testing and the development of solutions that can be taken forward into industry.

The conversation explores how emerging barrier materials such as geopolymers and bismuth alloys are being tested under challenging conditions, as well as the importance of building confidence in new technologies. Francis and Harald also discuss the potential for shorter plug designs, rigless P&A operations and the longer-term ambition to significantly reduce the cost of well plugging, particularly for subsea wells.

Formerly known as the Petroleum Safety Authority, Havtil acts as both a supervisory authority and knowledge directorate for the Norwegian offshore sector. Nina explains how the Norwegian regulatory model is built on openness, transparency and trust, with audit findings shared publicly so the wider industry can learn from both successes and mistakes.

The discussion explores the current state of wells on the Norwegian Continental Shelf and the preparations underway as more wells move toward permanent plugging and abandonment. Francis and Nina also discuss the challenges of introducing new well barrier technologies, the time required to qualify them for offshore use, and the importance of international collaboration between regulators and industry to share knowledge and lessons learned as decommissioning activity increases globally.

Contact Nina: nina.ringoen(at)havtil.no

Together, they explore why diversity of thought, experience and discipline is essential to Australia's growing decommissioning industry, the importance of visible role models and allies, and how creating more opportunities for women benefits the industry as a whole. The discussion also highlights the broad range of careers that contribute to decommissioning, challenging the perception that it is solely an engineering profession while encouraging the next generation of professionals to get involved.

Nick shares the unconventional path that led him from chartered accountancy and international beer distribution to leading a specialist cutting technology business operating across Australia, Brazil, North America and Europe. He reflects on Decom Engineering’s pivot during COVID, the development of its expanding subsea and onshore saw range, and how product innovation has opened new markets.

The discussion explores the role of precision cutting in pipeline, flexible and umbilical removal, and the growing need to better integrate offshore and onshore workflows.

The IWDC brings together organisations from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and the UK to share knowledge, identify technology gaps and support the development of more efficient, reliable and lower-cost approaches to well decommissioning. As a founding member, CODA is working alongside its international partners to address challenges that extend well beyond individual jurisdictions.

Kristine and Tim share their experiences working on P&A innovation in their respective regions, including the work being undertaken through the IWDC and Go Radical P&A. The conversation explores the potential for rigless P&A to reduce costs and environmental impacts, as well as the challenges that can prevent promising technologies from making the transition from development to commercial use.

They also discuss the need for more consistent approaches to technology qualification and risk assessment, and how collaboration between industry, technology developers and regulators could help accelerate the adoption of new solutions across different regions.

Get in touch with Tim - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-croucher/

Get in touch with Kristine - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-wille-hilstr%C3%B8m-2508a04/

Get in touch with Francis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/francisnorman/

Joining the conversation are Anne-Lise Søyland, Magnus Svensson and Michael Bishop, who share insights into the role Offshore Norge plays in bringing industry together and supporting collaboration across the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The conversation explores how collaboration between operators, suppliers and regulators has become a defining feature of the Norwegian offshore industry. The Offshore Norge team discuss their specialist networks, industry guidance and technology roadmaps aimed at improving how decommissioning and well-plugging activities are planned and delivered. They also highlight the importance of sharing lessons from projects, strengthening the supplier market and attracting the next generation of engineers and specialists who will play a key role in delivering decommissioning work into the future.

Lewis Harper (NZTC) discusses industry-funded technology pilots and the growth of collaborative networks, while Suzie Coull (NSTA) shares the regulator’s perspective on well decommissioning and the importance of efficiency and innovation. Richard Neilson (National Decommissioning Centre) reflects on research, training, and the challenges of sustaining a local supply chain, and Martha Vasquez (BCG) highlights global trends, emerging basins, and the need to retain talent. Finally, Shozey Jafferi (UK Department for Business and Trade) outlines opportunities for international collaboration, including links with Australia.

Stay connected with CODA - decommissioning.org.au/coda-connect/

The conversation looks back on key milestones for CODA, including the delivery of the Introduction to Decommissioning course, the Waste Disposal Pathways Report and Database, the Northern Territory study, the establishment of Special Interest Groups, and the evolution of CODA’s brand and industry role.

Francis shares his perspective on how Australia’s decommissioning capability is developing compared to global markets, where key opportunities exist, and the importance of collaboration across industry, government and research, including the significance of recent NDRI work and insights gained through partner engagement locally and internationally.

The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what’s ahead in early 2026 and the opportunities that lie ahead for the sector.

Brett shares insights from Centurion’s global footprint and recent projects, including large-scale pipeline recovery work in the Gulf of Thailand, as well as operations in Bass Strait and Western Australia. The conversation highlights the practical lessons learned offshore, the value of repetition and consistency, and the equipment and engineering needed to operate safely in Australia’s remote and highly regulated environment.

They also discuss reuse and circular economy approaches, Centurion’s expanding local capability, and opportunities for efficiency as Australia enters a significant phase of subsea decommissioning.

As decommissioning activity grows, access to experienced personnel at short notice can be a key consideration in project planning. Drawing on more than 15 years’ experience across 30+ countries, Paul shares insights into supporting operators, EPCs and service companies with contract personnel ranging from shutdown crews to senior project leaders.

The discussion explores the practical considerations behind workforce deployment from compliance and visa pathways, to payroll risk and tender support, and reflects on the role of relationships, industry knowledge, and collaboration in delivering capability across international markets.