ASCO completes six-figure offshore decommissioning contract in Western Australia

(WO) – UK-headquartered logistics and materials management company, ASCO, has completed a six-figure contract with Onslow Marine Support Base (OMSB) in Western Australia, supporting the offshore decommissioning sector by utilizing its radiation expertise.

As part of the contract, ASCO mobilized two radiation safety officers (RSOs) as well as NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) and mercury monitoring and analysis equipment to the OMSB site.

The RSOs delivered on-site training for NORM awareness, and monitoring for various hazards such as benzene, H2S (hydrogen sulphide) with a particular focus on NORM and mercury.

The project was led by senior RSOs John Davidson and Robin Small, who together boast 25 years of expertise in the field. The RSOs helped to optimize the site, ensuring that supervised areas were set up correctly and any contaminated materials were properly managed and contained. The team enhanced OMSB's management plans and risk assessments, ensuring top-tier radiation management and site safety operations.

OMSB Chief Operating Officer, Andre Veder, said, “At OMSB we believe all parts of the supply chain supporting the offshore decommissioning sector requires a robust focus on safety, efficiency and compliance. As part of this, OMSB proactively holds a range of licences including a radiation licence and associated management plan.

“To drive an effective and compliant outcome for the receival, handling and storage of potentially radioactive items, OMSB selected ASCO as its radiation specialist. ASCO’s international experience with radioactive items has allowed projects undertaken to appropriately manage the risks while not impacting the schedule of the works”.

ASCO has had a presence in Australia for more than 13 years, in Perth, Darwin and Dongara, but this contract represents the first time it has delivered NORM services in the Southern Hemisphere.

Commenting on the contract win, Lee Vettese, business development manager - environmental services and decommissioning at ASCO said, “Our work in the North Sea has led the way in global decommissioning activity for a number of years now and we’re excited to bring that experience to Western Australia."