Barry Beach Marine Terminal: Supporting Australia's gas supplies for nearly 60 years

Barry Beach Marine Terminal: Supporting Australia’s gas supplies for nearly 60 years
Decommissioning Project Manager Richard Perry

For nearly 60 years, Barry Beach Marine terminal has played a central role in supporting Esso Australia’s Bass Strait operations. Since 1966, every offshore platform we’ve operated has relied on the terminal for essential logistics, transport, and warehousing support—and that legacy continues today, stronger than ever.

Barry Beach Marine terminal supports the transport of equipment and essential resources, such as food and water, to our offshore operations so they can continue meeting the majority of south-east Australia’s gas needs, helping to power homes, businesses, and industries across the region. For over 60 years, the terminal has also been a cornerstone of the South Gippsland community, with multiple generations of local families contributing to its legacy.

As we responsibly decommission the 13 offshore facilities that are no longer producing oil and gas, Barry Beach Marine terminal remains at the heart of our operations. The terminal has played a critical role in our safe completion of over $2.5 billion in early decommissioning works, including the permanent plug and abandonment of more than 200 offshore wells. We’ve already safely recycled and disposed over 10,000 tonnes of steel and concrete at Barry Beach Marine Terminal through our well plug and abandonment program to date. That’s around as much as the Eiffel tower weighs.

As we move into the next phase of decommissioning, the terminal will continue to serve as our primary marine base, supporting both ongoing gas production and the safe, environmentally responsible and efficient removal of offshore infrastructure.

Many of our offshore platforms were originally fabricated at Barry Beach Marine terminal in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. So, it’s fitting that now they’ll return here for dismantling and recycling, after providing essential energy to Australians for decades.

Esso Australia is focused on ensuring all of our work is completed responsibly and in full compliance with environmental regulations. As always, we remain committed to engaging with our community to keep them informed and ensure our work aligns with local expectations.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out via consultation@exxonmobil.com.