Asciano subsidiary Patrick is looking to expand its operations at the port of Dampier, after announcing the purchase of a floating wharf that US company Apache Energy is close to completing.
Asciano subsidiary Patrick is looking to expand its operations at the port of Dampier, after announcing the purchase of a floating wharf that US company Apache Corporation is close to completing.
Apache’s Dampier Floating Deck platform is designed to service vessels that support offshore oil and gas operations.
Due for completion in March, Patrick said the DFD will provide an additional two berths and a range of on-berth vessel services not currently available in Dampier.
Patrick will operate the DFD as an open access facility, with Apache Energy to be a foundation customer.
Patrick’s general manager commercial and business development, bulk and automotive ports services, Warwick Sommer said the group was considering further possible investments to help it service oil and gas projects off WA’s northern coast, including in the Browse Basin near Broome.
The company currently has warehousing and laydown facilities at Dampier, which are accessed through the Pilbara Ports Authority’s cargo wharf.
Mr Sommer said the DFD was like a giant barge, measuring 100 metres by 33 metres, and would form an extension to the cargo wharf.
He said it was designed to suit oil and gas support vessels, which are typically between 75 metres and 95 metres in length.
It would enable direct-to-vessel refuelling and loading of drilling consumables.
The cost of the acquisition was not disclosed.
Patrick will compete with other private operators at Dampier, including MMA Offshore, which operates a large supply base at the port, and QUBE Holdings, which last year completed construction of a barge transfer and laydown facility.
The Patrick deal comes nearly a year after the state government gave in-principle approval to a private public partnership between the Pilbara Ports Authority and a successful bidder to boost port capacity at Dampier.
The port authority was planning to seek private sector interest in developing new infrastructure as well as leasing some of its existing facilities, which include the cargo wharf, a bulk liquids berth, load-out facilities and 7.2 hectares of land.
However, the Dampier Marine Services Facility project has been subsumed by the Treasurer's Asset Sales Taskforce.
"The due diligence process to be coordinated by Treasury will consider options for delivery of the DMSF," a government spokesperson told Business News.
"Therefore the Pilbara Ports Authority does not intend to pursue the DMSF procurement process at this stage."
The sale by Apache is part of a process being undertaken to sell all of its non-US assets.
As part of that process, it struck a deal last month to sell its stake in Chevron’s Wheatstone LNG project and the Balnaves oil field to Woodside.
It retains a stake in several other smaller oil and gas projects off the WA coast.
Asciano is Australia’s largest combined rail and cargo ports operator, through Pacific National’s rail operations and Patrick’s ports, stevedoring and logistics businesses.
