Liberty Industrial completes offshore platform deconstruction in Western Australia

The Santos Campbell platform arrived at the Port of Henderson in three sections. (PHOTO: Liberty Industrial)

The Campbell platform, an offshore structure in the Varanus Island hub off the coast of Western Australia, has been decommissioned and dismantled as part of a broader offshore decommissioning programme.

Originally installed to support oil and gas operations, the platform was removed from its offshore location by McDermott International in 2023.

Liberty Industrial was appointed by McDermott to carry out the onshore deconstruction and recycling of the platform following its removal.

The works were carried out at the Australian Marine Complex Common User Facility (AMC CUF) at Port Henderson on the shores of Cockburn Sound, which is located around 30 km south of Perth.

The platform arrived at Port Henderson in three sections via barge. Each section was transported to the deconstruction yard using Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs).

The platform sections were offloaded from the barge using the Roll-Off method. (PHOTO: Liberty Industrial)

The heaviest structure weighed over 600 tonnes, requiring detailed planning to ensure safe handling. Liberty Industrial stated that “each component required a tailored handling plan to ensure safe transfer from the barge to the decommissioning site, considering factors such as water displacement, tides, and port schedules.”

The company added that the Roll-On-Roll-Off method “allowed for a safer and more controlled offloading process, mitigating risks associated with lifting operations.”

The large structures were pre-weakened using oxy-cutting to induce collapse. (PHOTO: Liberty Industrial)

The deconstruction phase was completed within 57 days. All structures were dismantled using demolition excavators, with high-reach excavators and oxy-cutting used for taller structures before a controlled collapse was induced.

Materials were then downsized and processed using a combination of hot oxy-cutting and cold mechanical shearing, achieving a recycling rate of 99.5%.

Liberty Industrial described the project as “a milestone in the country’s evolving offshore decommissioning industry, showing the potential for efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible disposal of offshore structures.”

The materials were downsized and processed using hot oxy-cutting and cold mechanical shearing. (PHOTO: Liberty Industrial)

Jed Van Iersel, Decommissioning Manager at Liberty Industrial, said: “The decommissioning of the Campbell platform exemplifies Liberty Industrial’s ability to tackle the intricate nature of onshore decommissioning, setting a benchmark for excellence in a rapidly growing industry sector.”

Warwyck Smith, Decommissioning Project Manager at Liberty Industrial, commented: “We are extremely pleased with our ability to manage the complexities of the project by expanding our capabilities to include marine offloading operations and set a new benchmark for onshore decommissioning in Australia.”

The company also emphasised that the project required “seamless collaboration between our engineers, subcontractors, and the Australian Marine Complex,” ensuring a coordinated approach to the decommissioning process.

With offshore decommissioning activity increasing in Australia, Liberty Industrial stated that the Campbell platform project demonstrates “how onshore decommissioning can efficiently handle end-of-life offshore infrastructure, contributing to sustainable waste management practices.”