As certain oil and gas provinces near the end of their production lives, companies, governments and other stakeholders are turning their attention to decommissioning. The price of disposing of oil and gas installations is enormous. Yet the costs (both financial and otherwise) of getting this wrong can be even greater. Numerous stakeholders are affected. There is a general public interest in upholding environmental and safety standards. Governments wish to comply with their international convention commitments while ensuring that costs are borne by industry. Taxpayers, who may indirectly pay for up to two-thirds of decommissioning costs, want a proportionate response. Oil companies need a clear allocation of costs among joint venturers and security for the same from those lacking creditworthiness. Corporate and asset acquisition and disposal activity require certainty in these areas. Outside the world of energy, other industries (particularly shipping and fishing) have strong interests...