Closure Studies Advisory
Professional Projects Group provides independent advisory on closure studies for industrial and mining asset owners throughout Australia — reviewing study assumptions, challenging cost and programme estimates, and ensuring the closure basis is grounded in delivery reality before commitments are made.
What we do
A closure study is a structured assessment of the options, costs, programme, risks and information gaps associated with closing an industrial asset. It provides the asset owner with a sound basis for the closure investment decision — before scope is fixed, budgets are approved and procurement strategies are set.
Professional Projects Group provides independent advisory on closure studies — reviewing studies prepared by others, identifying gaps in scope or cost assumptions, and advising on whether the study basis is sufficient to support the decisions it is intended to inform. We also prepare closure studies directly where the owner requires an independent view from the outset.
Advisory services
01
Independent review of closure studies prepared by others — assessing scope completeness, cost and programme assumptions, risk identification, information gaps and the adequacy of the study basis for the decisions it is intended to support.
02
Identifying what must be decommissioned, demolished, remediated, removed or retained — and the information gaps that must be resolved before the scope can be fully defined and reliably costed.
03
Reviewing closure cost estimates and programmes for completeness, methodology and realism — identifying items that are commonly underestimated, including hazardous materials, temporary works, waste classification, remote mobilisation and contractor risk allowances.
04
Identifying the major risks — hazardous materials, unknown underground conditions, structural condition, regulatory approvals, operational interfaces — and the investigations or surveys required to reduce uncertainty before procurement.
05
Advising on closure options — different end states, delivery approaches, procurement models — and whether the options analysis in a closure study adequately reflects the cost, programme and risk implications of each path.
06
Advising on whether the closure study provides a sufficient basis for procurement — and what additional scope definition, investigation or documentation is required before the project can be taken to market competitively.
Why independent advisory matters
The most common mistake in industrial closure is treating planning as something that can be deferred until the shutdown decision is confirmed. By that point, the budget may already be set, the programme may already be communicated to stakeholders and the procurement strategy may already be determined.
A closure study done before the major commitments are made gives the owner a sound basis for the investment decision — understanding the options, the likely cost range, the key risks and the information gaps while choices are still available. Independent advisory on that study ensures the assumptions are challenged before they become commitments.
Professional Projects Group prepares and reviews closure studies that are grounded in the specific asset and the owner's obligations. The result is a decision-grade project basis that can withstand technical and commercial scrutiny — across mines, refineries, chemical plants, manufacturing facilities, Defence assets and energy infrastructure throughout Australia.
Common questions
A closure study is a structured assessment of the options, costs, programme, risks and information gaps associated with closing an industrial asset. It provides the asset owner with a sound basis for the closure investment decision — before scope is fixed, budgets are approved and procurement strategies are set.
A closure study should be commissioned before the major closure commitments are made — ideally before the shutdown decision is confirmed. This gives the owner the opportunity to understand the options and the likely cost range while choices are still available and inexpensive to make.
A closure study is a feasibility-level assessment that establishes the options, costs, risks and information gaps for a closure decision. A decommissioning plan is a more detailed document that defines the scope, methodology, programme and commercial basis for executing the closure. The closure study typically precedes and informs the decommissioning plan.
Professional Projects Group prepares and reviews closure studies for oil and gas facilities, chemical plants, manufacturing facilities, mines and mineral-processing plants, Defence assets, energy infrastructure and major industrial sites. We work across all Australian states and territories and have international experience.
Discuss a project
If you are approaching a closure decision and want an independent assessment of options, costs and risks, contact Professional Projects Group to discuss your requirements.
Where a closure study identifies a need for independent cost estimating or provision review, see our asset retirement obligation and closure cost planning service.
Discuss a projectRelated insights
