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GE opens Broome facility

US industrial giant GE has officially opened its new oil and gas service facility in Broome.

The facility has been designed to service subsea projects, specifically the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG project off the Kimberley coast.

GE said the regional facility would support the offshore installation phase, which includes local support for the preparation, storage and routine maintenance of subsea equipment supplied by GE Oil & Gas.

The company's regional director for Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, Mary Hackett, said the establishment of the Broome facility represented an exciting milestone for the business in Australia.

"This facility has been built by locals, it is supported by local businesses and services, and the GE team members live in Broome," she said.

"As part of the community, we look forward to providing year-round support to our customers during project development and ongoing operations."

GE Australia and New Zealand president and chief executive, Geoff Culbert, said the Broome facility was another example of GE's commitment to delivering real solutions to our customers.

GE has employed a team of seven who work at the custom-built workshop facility located in the Blue Haze Industrial Estate in Broome North.

The facility includes approximately 500sqm of warehouse, 120sqm of office space and 4000sqm of equipment hardstand area.

Local indigenous firm H&M Tracey Construction won the competitive tender to build the facility.

Construction was completed in December last year.

Broome was chosen for its proximity to the offshore operations and to complement INPEX's existing offshore support infrastructure in the town.

INPEX also has dedicated office space at the new GE facility.

GE said it would continue to use local services and suppliers where possible.

The new facility will work in conjunction with GE's established operations in Jandakot.