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Regulator shuts Wandoo oil field off WA after oil spill
Canadian firm Vermilion has repeatedly failed to comply with mandated environmental protection measures, despite repeated proddings from the regulator NOPSEMA.
Following an oil spill in December, the offshore environment regulator has shut down the Wandoo oil field, 80km off the Pilbara coast, until the Canadian owner, Vermillion, can demonstrate it is safe.
Regulator NOPSEMA called out "systemic failures" in Vermilion's management of Wandoo, including inadequate inspection and maintenance, and repeated instances of not complying with Wandoo's approved environment plan.
NOPSEMA identified problems with Vermilion's management of Wandoo during inspections in October 2025 and after the December 11, 2025, oil spill.
"These issues reflect recurring themes from earlier inspections and show that corrective actions and assurance processes have not fully addressed the underlying causes," the February 6 NOPSEMA direction published on Friday said.
Vermilion's website seeking consultation on its Australian plans
The NOPSEMA direction said the systemic weaknesses it identified may have contributed to the oil spill.
Vermilion has operated the wholly owned Wandoo field since 2005.
Wells reach out as far as three kilometres from two platforms: the unmanned Wandoo A and the crewed Wandoo B.
Image: Vermilion.
NOPSEMA has ordered Vermilion not to export any oil from Wandoo until it can demonstrate that it has implemented measures to make the existing system safe.
Vermilion then has to have a completely new export system from the pipeline end manifold (PLEM) to the floating export hose in place by December 2027.
In 2022, a floating export hose failed at Santos' Varanus Island facility, allowing 25,000 litres of condensate to escape into the ocean. Santos denied any connection between the spill and the dead dolphins found nearby.
Vermilion has not yet complied with a NOPSEMA direction issued three years ago over concerns that its inadequate maintenance of pipework on the platforms could lead to oil or gas escaping, resulting in a fire or explosion.
NOPSEMA and Vermilion have been contacted for comment.
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I worked in oil & gas in commercial and engineering roles for 20 years. Since 2016, I have written for The West Australian, WAtoday, The Guardian and Boiling Cold, winning five WA Media Awards.
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