ASCO has been awarded the contract to manage the supply base for BP Plc's (NYSE: BP) upcoming exploration program in the Great Australian Bight, the company said in a Feb. 24 release.

Commencing in 2016, the exploration program includes four wells within its offshore permits located about 300 km 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.

Supply base activity will ramp up from early 2016, employing about 25 full-time staff at peak.

The facility will have 120 m (394 ft) of quayside and more than 20,000 sq m (1,858 sq ft) of laydown area. It will include a liquids mud plant, light and heavy vehicle parking areas and an administration building with training room capability.

The base at Flinders Port will provide the full range of stevedoring and materials management services including:

  • Loading and offloading of vessels and trucks;
  • Ground transportation scheduling and coordination;
  • Warehouse and yard management;
  • Port in/out arrangements, visitor orientation;
  • International Ship and Port Facility Code accredited security;
  • Bulk storage and tank farm management;
  • Waste management and recycling/disposal; and
  • Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service compliant wash-down facilities.