OGV Energy Australia Issue 01-Elemental Energies and Archer Join Forces for Global P&A Joint Venture

Elemental Energies and Archer Join Forces for Global P&A Joint Venture

Elemental Energies, a leading specialist in well engineering, subsurface, and project management, has partnered with Archer, a global drilling and well services expert, to launch a joint venture (JV) delivering integrated plugging and abandonment (P&A) services for decommissioning projects worldwide. This partnership formalises years of successful collaboration, setting a new standard for P&A operations.

The JV combines Elemental Energies’ proven track record in managing over 700 wells— including 210 deepwater projects and 500 decommissioning operations—with Archer’s world-class well services technology and operational reach. With more than five decades of industry experience and a presence in over 40 countries, Archer’s 5,000-strong team enhances the JV’s ability to drive project efficiency while reducing costs for operators.

Boosting P&A Efficiency for Australian Operators

The JV offers operators a fully integrated approach to well abandonment, covering both platform and subsea projects. Combining

Elemental Energies’ subsurface and project management expertise with Archer’s cuttingedge P&A technologies, the JV delivers streamlined project execution, enhanced oversight, and cost reductions.

Australian operators can benefit from tailored services, spanning from project planning to final execution. The JV’s dedicated team works closely with clients to adopt best-inclass P&A methods that maximise operational performance while supporting environmental sustainability. Recognising that operators require flexible options, the JV provides both integrated and standalone services, enabling operators to choose the best approach for their specific decommissioning needs.

Supporting Australia’s Growing Decommissioning Market

This partnership comes at a time when Australia’s offshore energy sector is experiencing significant growth. The recent Australia-UK Offshore Decommissioning Cooperation highlights the importance of international collaboration in shaping a sustainable future for the energy industry.

The agreement links the UK’s decades of North Sea decommissioning expertise with Australia’s expanding offshore services market. A working group comprising industry leaders, regulatory bodies, and academic partners has been established to drive best practices, facilitate knowledge transfer, and identify priority decommissioning projects that would benefit from international cooperation.

Elemental Energies brings over 35 years of operational experience and a history of strategic acquisitions, including Senergy Wells, Norwell Engineering, and Norway-based Well Expertise. These moves have strengthened its capabilities across exploration, field development, decommissioning, and emerging sectors such as carbon capture, utilisation, storage (CCUS), as well as geothermal energy—all areas relevant to Australia’s energy future.

Similarly, Archer has expanded its global capabilities through acquisitions like Wellbore Fishing & Rental Tools, enhancing its specialised P&A and fishing services portfolio. With a focus on drilling, well services, and renewables—including geothermal, carbon storage, and offshore wind—Archer’s expertise positions the JV as a major force in the international P&A market, well-suited to support Australia’s evolving decommissioning landscape.

Driving Innovation and Sustainability in Australia

The JV’s goals go beyond operational efficiency and cost reduction. Its long-term vision includes advancing P&A technology while supporting Australia’s decarbonisation and sustainability goals. By improving project design and execution, the partnership aims to minimise the environmental impact of decommissioning projects.

With innovation and sustainability at its core, the JV is poised to deliver customised, efficient solutions for Australian operators. As Elemental Energies and Archer continue to expand globally, the JV sets a benchmark for well decommissioning excellence. Its collaborative approach supports Australia’s energy transition and strengthens its offshore energy capabilities.