Logistics News

Patrick eyes energy support with Dampier buy

Long-term gains foreseen in sector as relationship with Apache deepens

 

Asciano’s stevedoring firm, Patrick, is strengthening its Pilbara footprint with the purchase of berthing infrastructure.

Patrick has agreed to buy Apache Energy’s Dampier Floating Deck (DFD) platform currently being constructed at the Port of Dampier, with a view to supporting offshore oil and gas customers.

The DFD, bought for an undisclosed sum, is designed to service oil and gas support vessel operations and, on completion, will provide an additional two berths and a range of on-berth vessel provisioning and support services not currently available in Dampier.

Patrick Bulk and Automotive Ports Services director Murray Vitlich says the acquisition will expand Patrick’s existing oil and gas services capabilities in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. 

“The Port of Dampier is positioned well to provide ongoing services to vessels supporting oil and gas projects as they transition from construction to operations over the coming years,” Vitlich states in his first public comment since taking the role in August.

“This platform will strengthen our existing regional port operations servicing the oil and gas sector in the Northern Territory and Western Australia.”

With construction due for completion in March, Patrick will operate the DFD as an open access facility.

Apache Energy will be a foundation customer.

Patrick’s stevedoring business already provides stevedoring and related landside services to Apache in Dampier, a spokesman confirms.

“The DFD can support both the support vessels used in exploration campaigns and those used if a successful find results in a production well or facility,” he says.

“The DFD will provide two additional berths in Dampier designed to meet the needs of support vessel operations and we see a number of opportunities from the DFD going forward.”

 

 

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