Australia: NT Inks Deal for Darwin Marine Supply Base

Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson today welcomed the signing of a $104 million contract to build and operate a world class Marine Supply Base at East Arm.

Chief Minister said the construction would begin in the coming months on the base which would cement Darwin’s position as a major oil and gas hub.

“We are fast becoming the oil and gas capital of Australia and are about to undergo a significant economic boom,” Mr Henderson said.

“I’ve made it a priority of my Government to provide the infrastructure necessary to lure new investment into Darwin and make Darwin an attractive option for companies looking to invest.

“We’ve backed this up with $6 million in funding to provide water, power sewage connections to the site ready for it to be developed into a world class Marine Supply Base.

“Already major players have come on board to take advantage of our world class Marine Supply Base with ConocoPhillips to use if for their existing operations, INPEX confirming they will using the base during their multi-billion gas development and Shell confirming they will use it to service their floating LNG plant in the browse basin,” Mr Henderson said.

Chief Minister Henderson said ShoreASCO will operate the base for up to 20 years and have contracted local company Macmahon to build the base.

“The base will be the first in northern Australia and provide a purpose-built facility for vessels that supply offshore oil and gas projects,” Mr Henderson said.

“There will be opportunities for local businesses with the base expected to employ 125 people at the peak of construction, create 25 ongoing jobs and support over 170 jobs in the broader community.”

ASCO Holdings, which owns ShoreASCO, is an international oil and gas logistics company that has over 40 years’ experience and 20 bases around the world.

Construction will start in April 2012 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2013.

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LNG World News Staff, February 20, 2012; Image: NT Govt