Thirteen gas rigs in the Bass Strait are coming down and the work starts later this year

Over 600 kilometres of pipeline must be removed as wells dry up and Australia moves away from burning fossil fuels.

Author

Jacob Wallace
May 14, 2026

The removal and dismantling of Bass Strait offshore gas rigs is set to get underway this year, with the first stage removing the topsides (above-water components) of up to 13 offshore rigs.

Sitting between 21 and 77 kilometres off the coast of Gippsland, fossil fuel giant Esso owns 19 offshore platforms in the Bass Strait.

In early May, Australia’s offshore energy regulator approved an environmental plan for Esso Australia’s proposed first stage of decommissioning.

Removal of the infrastructure under the plan will commence in the third quarter of this year and conclude at the start of 2028. 

The process: Australia’s offshore energy regulator says ships will transport the topsides to a sheltered location closer to shore before they’re transferred onto a barge or a heavy transport vessel for further transit.

Barry Beach Marine Terminal will act as the main hub of operations for the dismantling of the rigs.