If successful, this will be the country's first-ever subsea well abandonment job executed without the use of explosives, rigs or divers.

A previous attempt by a French contractor to undertake a similar task using a civil construction cutting tool failed to completely remove the wellheads, which were eventually blown off with conventional explosives, according to industry sources.

Seatrac's proprietary 'AXE' abrasive water jet-cutting system is designed to remove safely and cheaply wellheads in water depths of 100 metres or more with the help of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a dynamically positioned workboat. Seatrac's technology requires only medium pressures of between 10,000 and 15,000 psi.

"This approach completely avoids the use of explosives -- thereby significantly reducing the environmental impact of these operations -- and was a key factor in the award to Seatrac," a Woodside source said. Seatrac will serve as the main contractor and project manager for the 10-day operation, due to start in mid-July.

The company will charter the diving support vessel Adams Surveyor out of Dampier. It will secure ROV services from Thales and marine services from Total Marine Services.

Seatrac's marketing director Simon Ashton said its system "can deliver major commercial and environmental benefits for the industry globally and will create its own niche market by replacing explosives as the subsea severance method of choice."