text: The offshore waters and islands adjacent to Dampier, host in excess of 50% of all  D A M P I E R B A S E 
  
  exploration and development budgets of Australia’s offshore oil and gas industry. The Burrup 
  
  Peninsular where the Base is located is the intended site of major new oil, gas, petrochemical and 
  
  industrial mineral processing plants. The Port of Dampier is Australia’s largest Port as measured by 
  
  tonnage, but as identified in the 1997 WA Department of Commerce and Trade report, there 
  
  remains an urgent need for additional marine support infrastructure. Mermaid is now well advanced 
  
  in our plan to satisfy those needs and onshore work was announced to start on the 9th October 2000. 