Sarah Watson

Sarah's research

Decommissioning Offshore Infrastructure

Australia, together with numerous countries with offshore oil and gas (O&G) activities nearing their end of life, have a substantial and escalating decommissioning dilemma –– to remove or not to remove, and which decommissioning option provide the best environmental outcomes? However, coming up with an answer to this question is not straight-forward, and it’s not likely it could be comprehensively answered at the current time. Sarah’s PhD research intends to determine whether there is sufficient knowledge and technology, together with supportive regulations, already in place in order for Australia’s offshore O&G operators and regulators to be able to make this determination. And, if/where there is not, detail recommendations to bridge such gaps based on a wide range of stakeholder views, research, and global best practices.

Sarah brings to her PhD studies over 20 years of experience working as an environmental professional within the offshore oil and gas sector and other ocean-based industries. She has a multi-disciplinary educational background with an undergraduate degree in civil/structural engineering and a master’s degree in international environmental and marine law.