In this episode of Plugging Away, CODA CEO Francis Norman speaks with Nick McNally, Managing Director of Decom Engineering, about innovation, international growth and the evolving demands of decommissioning.

Nick shares the unconventional path that led him from chartered accountancy and international beer distribution to leading a specialist cutting technology business operating across Australia, Brazil, North America and Europe. He reflects on Decom Engineering’s pivot during COVID, the development of its expanding subsea and onshore saw range, and how product innovation has opened new markets.

The discussion explores the role of precision cutting in pipeline, flexible and umbilical removal, and the growing need to better integrate offshore and onshore workflows.

In this episode of Plugging Away, CODA CEO Francis Norman speaks with Paul Sammeroff, Partner at Resource 17, about the realities of sourcing and mobilising skilled personnel across the global energy sector.

As decommissioning activity grows, access to experienced personnel at short notice can be a key consideration in project planning. Drawing on more than 15 years’ experience across 30+ countries, Paul shares insights into supporting operators, EPCs and service companies with contract personnel ranging from shutdown crews to senior project leaders.

The discussion explores the practical considerations behind workforce deployment from compliance and visa pathways, to payroll risk and tender support, and reflects on the role of relationships, industry knowledge, and collaboration in delivering capability across international markets.

In this episode, CEO Francis Norman sits down with CODA’s new General Manager, Rean Gilbert, to explore her career journey and what drew her to the decommissioning sector.

Rean shares her path from marine and environmental science into regulation, government and industry, including her time at NOPSEMA and in state government. She reflects on how growing up across multiple countries shaped her resilience, leadership style and strong focus on collaboration.

The conversation also looks ahead, with Rean outlining what excites her about decommissioning in Australia, the opportunity to help shape an emerging industry, and her priorities at CODA as she brings together regulators, operators and the supply chain to help address shared challenges.

In this final episode of the year, Pawel Rybczynski, Brand and Communications Lead at the Centre of Decommissioning Australia (CODA), is joined by Francis Norman, CEO of CODA, to reflect on 2025 and what it has meant for the Australian decommissioning industry.

The conversation looks back on key milestones for CODA, including the delivery of the Introduction to Decommissioning course, the Waste Disposal Pathways Report and Database, the Northern Territory study, the establishment of Special Interest Groups, and the evolution of CODA’s brand and industry role.

Francis shares his perspective on how Australia’s decommissioning capability is developing compared to global markets, where key opportunities exist, and the importance of collaboration across industry, government and research, including the significance of recent NDRI work and insights gained through partner engagement locally and internationally.

The episode concludes with a forward-looking discussion on what’s ahead in early 2026 and the opportunities that lie ahead for the sector.

In this episode, CODA CEO Francis Norman speaks with Brett Phillips, Subsea Manager at Centurion, about the company’s growing role in subsea decommissioning across Australia and internationally.

Brett shares insights from Centurion’s global footprint and recent projects, including large-scale pipeline recovery work in the Gulf of Thailand, as well as operations in Bass Strait and Western Australia. The conversation highlights the practical lessons learned offshore, the value of repetition and consistency, and the equipment and engineering needed to operate safely in Australia’s remote and highly regulated environment.

They also discuss reuse and circular economy approaches, Centurion’s expanding local capability, and opportunities for efficiency as Australia enters a significant phase of subsea decommissioning.

In this episode, CODA CEO Francis Norman records live from SPE Offshore Europe 2025 in Aberdeen, speaking with leaders across the decommissioning sector, including technology, regulation, academia, consultancy, and government.

Lewis Harper (NZTC) discusses industry-funded technology pilots and the growth of collaborative networks, while Suzie Coull (NSTA) shares the regulator’s perspective on well decommissioning and the importance of efficiency and innovation. Richard Neilson (National Decommissioning Centre) reflects on research, training, and the challenges of sustaining a local supply chain, and Martha Vasquez (BCG) highlights global trends, emerging basins, and the need to retain talent. Finally, Shozey Jafferi (UK Department for Business and Trade) outlines opportunities for international collaboration, including links with Australia.

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In this episode, CODA CEO Francis Norman is joined by Edson Valverde, Decommissioning Manager at Petrobras, to discuss how Petrobras manages one of the largest offshore decommissioning portfolios in the world. Together, they discuss the scope of upcoming projects over the next five years, navigating regulatory frameworks, addressing recycling challenges, and fostering a collaborative team culture to shape Brazil’s decommissioning future.

In this episode, CODA Brand and Communications Lead Pawel Rybczynski asks CEO Francis Norman to share reflections from his recent travels across Europe, including stops in Aberdeen, Bergen, Stavanger and Copenhagen. They explore how international collaboration, particularly through forums like the Perth-Aberdeen Gateway and the UK-Australia MOU, is shaping Australia’s decommissioning landscape. From the transferability of technology and the challenges of qualifications, to the global push for reuse and recycling, Francis and Pawel discuss what Australia can learn from more established jurisdictions, and how the local industry is rising to the challenge.

The discussion also covers circular economy initiatives like Nordic Circles, infrastructure readiness, and the social value drawing people into the sector. With a clear-eyed look at the sunk cost mindset and a call for broader industry recognition, it’s a thoughtful update on how decommissioning is evolving globally and what it means for us in Australia.