Buchan OBserver
Sunday, November 30, 2014 www.buchanobserver.co.uk
40th AnniversAry
Exploring Apache’s working relationship with ASCO
ASCO is an ‘integral part’ of Apache’s work by graham smith
A
s ASCO celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Buchan Observer visited Apache to explore the working relationship between the two organisations. The Buchanie recently met with Roger Brimmer, who is Supply Chain Manager with Apache North Sea Ltd, at the firm’s headquarters at Kingswells. US Oil Company, Apache bought the Forties Oil Field from BP in 2003 and rather than abandoning it, decided to invest in it - spending more than $5 billion on drilling, completions, and to upgrade the top side facilities. A little over ten years later, Apache now envisages another 20 years of production in the oil field. As Roger Brimmer explained to the Buchanie, ASCO has played a key role in Apache’s supply chain for a number of years. Apache has seven offshore platforms, which need to be resupplied, and it is ASCO which manages its Shorebase logistics i.e. loads and unloads ships with deck cargo, fuel, water, mud and cement. Apache ships c.180,000 tonnes p.a. of deck cargo from Peterhead and is responsible for managing the collections and deliveries on six ships. ASCO and Apache have been working together since 2003. Speaking to the Buchan Observer about the reasons behind the success of their 11-year working relationship, Roger said Apache likes the people and services it gets from ASCO. Roger describes ASCO as “effectively an extension of our supply chain team” and the relationship between the two companies as one of openness, honesty, trust and mutual respect. In short, Apache has to trust ASCO to “deliver the right things on the right boats
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“ASCO brings many talented and knowledgeable people who are hardworking and diligent and who do their very best for Apache on a daily basis. “
Roger Brimmer at Apache’s headquarters at Kingswells.
to the right locations in a safe, efficient and cost effective manner.” ASCO also provides freight forwarding and waste management services for Apache through ASCO Freight Management and Enviroco respectively. Apache moved its logistics operation from Aberdeen to Peterhead in 2007 and in terms of their future strategy; Roger says he “sees Apache staying in Peterhead.” The Supply Chain Manager has been with Apache since 2006 and previously worked for ASCO as Base Manager at Peterhead between 1995 and 1998 before moving to the USA as ASCO’s Vice President of Logistics. He has also worked with PSL Energy Services (now Halliburton) and Amoco and has been involved with ASCO one way or another for 30 years. Roger now lives in Bancho-
ry but has lived and worked in the US, Far East, Middle East and London as well as Aberdeen and Peterhead. He studied at Cults Academy before progressing to Robert Gordon University, and has worked in the Oil and Gas industry since 1983. Commenting, Roger said: “We see ASCO in Peterhead as an integral part of our future supply chain. “ASCO brings many talented and knowledgeable people who are hardworking and diligent and who do their very best for Apache on a daily basis. They also have a strong management team headed by Derek Smith.” He added: “We look forward to continuing our relationship in 2015, when we’re going to be opening a new warehouse in Dyce, and ASCO are going to own and operate it as part of a 10-year deal for managed warehouse services.”
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