International oil and gas services company ASCO Group has won a contract to manage the supply base for BP’s upcoming exploration program in the Great Australian Bight.
Starting in 2016, the exploration program includes four wells within its offshore permits located approximately 300 kilometers southwest of Ceduna, South Australia.
The 24/7 supply base at Flinders Port in Adelaide will be managed by ASCO in partnership with Flinders Logistics, a subsidiary of Flinders Port Holdings.
ASCO Australasia CEO, Matt Thomas , said ASCO was proud to have been awarded this significant contract by one of the world’s leading energy companies.
“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,” Thomas said.
ASCO is the world’s leading oil and gas supply base operator across five continents. ASCO’s presence in Australia has increased significantly over the past year, with the opening of the Darwin Marine Supply Base, the acquisition of Bonnie Rock Transport and a major contract win to transport Barrow Island construction waste for Toxfree.
“ASCO’s selection to manage the base and all associated logistics is further recognition of our global capability and reinforces our strategic direction in Australasia,” Thomas said.
“We are now seen as a valuable and viable alternative to current service providers in the oil and gas, transport and logistics arena.”
Thomas said ASCO was committed to supporting South Australian businesses and workforce development.
“We recognize the importance of BP’s activities to the South Australian economy and will support local employment and skills development across our operations. We are already in discussion with some of our partners who are looking at establishing South Australian operations to support our activities.”
Supply base activity will ramp up from early 2016, 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:
The facility will have 120m of quayside and more than 20,000sqm of laydown area. It will include a liquids mud plant, light and heavy vehicle parking areas and an administration building with training room capability.