2025 | Case Study
Setting a benchmark for sustainable decommissioning and marine operation
Onslow Marine Support Base (OMSB) is one of Western Australia’s most strategically important facilities for offshore energy, logistics, and decommissioning activities. With decommissioning operations comes a heightened risk of environmental contamination from stormwater runoff and decommissioning activities carrying hydrocarbons, heavy metals, microplastics and various forms of scale into sensitive marine ecosystems.
In 2025, OMSB partnered with ARI Water to install Stormwater Filtration Devices (SFDs) across its key drainage points. The goal was to safeguard the base’s stormwater discharge, uphold OMSB’s reputation as a world-class decommissioning port, and set a new benchmark for environmental protection in the marine industry.
The installation has delivered measurable reductions in contaminant loads, ensuring OMSB’s stormwater is treated before entering the ocean. With the SFDs in place, OMSB now demonstrates leadership in sustainability, protecting both operational efficiency and marine biodiversity.
Background & Context
- Facility Overview: OMSB provides berthing, logistics, and offshore support services. As a growing hub for decommissioning operations, the base manages high volumes of vessel activity, fuel transfers, and equipment handling.
- Environmental Sensitivity: Located on WA’s Pilbara coast, OMSB operates near ecologically sensitive marine environments, where even minor contamination can have long-term impacts.
- Industry Challenge: Ports and decommissioning bases face increased scrutiny from regulators, investors, and the public regarding stormwater contamination and ESG commitments. Traditional stormwater systems lack filtration capability, allowing pollutants to flow untreated into coastal waters.
The Challenge
- Contaminants of Concern: Hydrocarbons, oils, heavy metals, sediment, microplastics, scale and paint residues from decommissioning operations.
- Infrastructure Limitations: OMSB’s existing stormwater network discharged directly into the marine environment without adequate treatment.
- Operational Constraints: Any solution needed to be:
- Non-disruptive to daily port operations.
- Cost-effective compared to major infrastructure retrofits.
- Scalable across multiple drains, applications and adaptable to site-specific conditions.
The Solution: ARI Stormwater Filtration Devices (SFDs)
ARI Water deployed its proprietary SFD technology to protect OMSB’s stormwater outfalls. Each unit features:
- Multi-stage filtration inserts targeting hydrocarbons, heavy metals, sediments, and microplastics.
- Modular design for rapid installation using the existing drainage infrastructure.
- Low-maintenance operation with reusable filter media.
- High flow-through capacity, ensuring no risk of flooding during heavy rainfall.
Installation Highlights:
- 8 SFDs were installed across priority stormwater drains.
- Each unit comes with 2 ARI material inserts, tailored to OMSB’s contamination profile.
- Installation was completed in 2 days, with minimal disruption to operations.
Implementation Process
- Site Assessment – Mapping stormwater infrastructure and identifying high-risk discharge points.
- Device Customisation – SFD inserts designed to target OMSB-specific contaminants (hydrocarbons + metals).
- Installation – Onsite deployment carried out in collaboration with OMSB operations team.
Broader Impact & Industry Significance
- Environmental Leadership: OMSB is now regarded as one of Australia’s most advanced decommissioning bases in terms of environmental stewardship.
- Regulatory Alignment: Installation supports compliance with EPA and Ports Authority guidelines.
- Replicability: The success of this project demonstrates that SFDs can be rapidly deployed across other marine support bases and decommissioning sites worldwide.
- ESG Value: OMSB strengthens its position with clients, regulators, and investors seeking environmentally responsible decommissioning practices.
Operational Benefits:
- Zero disruption to vessel operations during installation.
- Maintenance cycle streamlined to suit each operation. Inspection is easy to carry out with 3 monthly inspections recommended.
- Cost savings compared to retrofitting full-scale treatment systems.
Conclusion
The partnership between OMSB and ARI Water has created a new benchmark for stormwater management in decommissioning and marine operations. By installing ARI’s Stormwater Filtration Devices, OMSB has taken proactive steps to protect its surrounding waters, reinforce its ESG commitments, and lead by example in sustainable port operations.
This case study highlights not only the technical performance of ARI’s SFD technology but also the broader strategic benefits for ports seeking to future-proof operations against environmental risks.
