Darwin Marine Supply Base operator swings south in latest initiative
Nine months after taking a majority stake in oilfield trucking specialist Bonnie Rock Transport (BRT), ASCO Australasia says it will manage a BP supply base in partnership with Flinders Logistics.
The Adelaide facility will support BP’s looming exploration program in the Great Australian Bight.
Starting next year, the exploration program includes four wells within its offshore permits about 300 km southwest of Ceduna, South Australia.
“The Great Australian Bight is a challenging new global frontier in oil and gas exploration and ASCO will bring its significant international experience to support BP’s operations,” ASCO Australasia CEO Matt Thomas says.
Supply base activity will ramp up at the start of next year, employing approximately 25 full-time staff at peak.
The base at Flinders Port will provide the full range of stevedoring and materials management services including:
- loading and off-loading of vessels and trucks
- ground transportation scheduling and coordination
- warehouse and yard management
- international Ship and Port Facility Code accredited security
- bulk storage and tank farm management
- waste management and recycling / disposal
- Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service compliant wash-down facilities.
The facility will have 120 metres of quayside and more than 20,000 sq m of laydown area.
It will include a liquids mud plant, light and heavy vehicle parking areas and an administration building with training room capability.
ASCO already operates Darwin Marine Supply Base and provides inventory and asset management through its Oniqua subsidiary.
Flinders Logistics is a subsidiary of Flinders Port Holdings, which controls the port of Adelaide.
The deal could be the start of more business for the state, with Thomas saying: “We are already in discussion with some of our partners who are looking at establishing South Australian operations to support our activities.”