Why Harriet Alpha Decommissioning Matters for Procurement

The Harriet Alpha platform, once a key fixture offshore Western Australia, is set to be decommissioned under a newly awarded contract by Santos.

The project, handed to McDermott, will cover all engineering, procurement, removal and disposal (EPRD) tasks for the platform and its associated infrastructure.

With the energy industry steadily advancing towards sustainable practices, this contract reflects a collaborative effort to responsibly manage end-of-life energy assets.

McDermott, a leading force in engineering and construction for the energy sector, brings an integrated approach to decommissioning.

The contract builds on the company’s reputation for innovative, technology-driven solutions, which align with Santos’ commitment to reducing environmental impact. McDermott’s role goes beyond dismantling infrastructure; it exposes the importance of sustainable procurement.

Sustainable procurement ensures that every decision made during the acquisition of goods and services considers its environmental, economic and social impact. For the Harriet Alpha project, this principle is evident in how resources are planned for removal, transport and disposal.

The platform, decommissioned after operations ceased in 2013, presents significant logistical hurdles.

Liberty Industrial, a consultancy specialising in industrial deconstruction, previously conducted a detailed study for Santos. The analysis explored Australian sites suitable for dismantling and disposal, alongside transportation and dismantling plans.

Challenges included the platform’s immense scale and limited onshore facilities for safe deconstruction. By developing multiple methodologies and cost projections, Liberty Industrial equipped Santos with actionable insights for a sustainable and cost-effective approach.

Engineering and procurement solutions

McDermott’s scope in this project is expansive. The company will manage engineering, procurement and fabrication of specialised equipment required for the platform’s removal.

This includes the Harriet Alpha platform structure, flare tower, an exploration well and a subsea development system comprising two template wells. These components will be transported to a designated onshore facility, where dismantling and disposal will be carefully executed.

The decommissioning process involves strict adherence to safety and environmental protocols. Such operations demand intricate planning to ensure the platform’s safe removal while minimising disruption to the surrounding marine ecosystem.

The scale of the task is clear; McDermott’s Perth-based team will lead the project, supported by experts from around the globe - in Batam, Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

“This is our largest decommissioning project to date, reflecting our continued commitment to delivering bespoke solutions for the timely, safe and environmentally responsible removal of infrastructure at the end of its operational life cycle," comments Mahesh Swaminathan, McDermott’s Senior Vice President for Subsea and Floating Facilities. 

A commitment to circularity

Circularity, the process of reusing and recycling materials to reduce waste, remains central to this project.

McDermott’s growing portfolio in Australian decommissioning includes notable achievements like the Campbell decommissioning project. With the Harriet Alpha contract, the company deepens its commitment to a lower-carbon economy by integrating circular principles into infrastructure removal.

Decommissioning isn’t merely about dismantling structures. It’s an opportunity to reimagine how resources can be recovered and reused, reducing the environmental footprint of energy projects.

McDermott’s approach ensures materials are salvaged where possible, turning a significant challenge into a resource-efficient opportunity.

As part of the Harriet Joint Venture (HJV), the platform is among the largest facilities slated for decommissioning in the region.

The Harriet Alpha decommissioning project serves as a benchmark for how engineering and procurement can align with environmental priorities.

By combining local expertise and global resources, McDermott demonstrates that large-scale decommissioning is not only feasible but also an opportunity to promote circularity in energy infrastructure.

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