Birdon has launched a new Automated Decontamination Unit (ADU), introducing an advanced onshore capability to support the safe and efficient processing of subsea pipelines, tubulars and equipment from offshore decommissioning programs.
The system is designed to provide a controlled environment for removing contaminants from recovered assets, enabling operators to reduce safety risks, improve operational efficiency and achieve higher value recycling outcomes.
Its development reflects growing demand across the oil and gas sector for scalable and reliable solutions to manage large pipeline recovery and disposal campaigns.
Birdon General Manager – Australia West, Mitch Kelly, said the ADU represents a practical advancement in addressing longstanding decommissioning challenges.
“Decontamination is a critical step in preparing recovered assets for recycling, but it has traditionally involved high levels of manual handling and variable outcomes,” Kelly said.
“The ADU removes people from the process, placing decontamination within a controlled environment and delivering a safer, more consistent and efficient solution at scale.”
The company has built a track record delivering complex disposal and decommissioning projects across Australia in the oil and gas, defence and maritime sectors.
These projects have consistently achieved high recycling rates while supporting circular economy principles, positioning Birdon to respond to increasing regulatory and environmental expectations.
The ADU will be deployed to support upcoming decommissioning scopes across Western Australia, including major pipeline recovery programs.
Birdon is currently engaged in several projects involving the recovery, decontamination and recycling of rigid pipelines and subsea equipment, including works for major operators within the resources sector.
Located near Birdon’s Dampier facility, the unit will form part of an integrated onshore solution for handling, processing and recycling recovered materials.
The proximity to key offshore activity hubs is expected to streamline logistics while supporting the safe and compliant management of contaminated materials.
Technically, the ADU is a fully automated system capable of processing multiple pipeline sections simultaneously. It removes both internal and external contaminants within an enclosed environment, reducing exposure risks and improving consistency.
The system is underpinned by ultra-high-pressure jetting technology that has been proven internationally in large-scale oil and gas applications, delivering reliable high-throughput performance.
Birdon holds exclusive local access to this automated decontamination technology, marking a new capability for the Australian market.
Key features include automated internal and external cleaning, remote operation to minimise personnel exposure, contained processing for hazardous materials and the capacity to support large-scale pipeline programs.
The system has been developed using insights from previous decommissioning campaigns, particularly large pipeline and tubular processing projects, allowing Birdon to refine both safety and efficiency outcomes.
By improving access for inspection, material separation and reuse, the ADU is expected to enhance recovery rates and support broader industry goals to increase recycling while reducing environmental impact.
“Operators are looking for practical ways to improve recycling outcomes while maintaining certainty around safety, cost and schedule,” Kelly said.
“This capability is about providing a safe, consistent and scalable solution that supports those objectives from the outset of a project.”
Birdon will present the ADU at the upcoming Decommissioning and Abandonment Summit in June, where it will exhibit the system and share further details on its operational performance and project applications.
