Port Fourchon’s Fourchon Island Deepwater Port Plan Moves Forward

Plans to develop a new multi-purpose deepwater port facilities at Port Fourchon, a key hub for U.S. Gulf of Mexico energy activities, have taken a major step forward with the recent signing of a multi-party agreement.

The Greater Lafourche Port Commission (GLPC) on Thursday announced a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (CEA) with Edison Chouest Offshore affiliate C-Logistics, Bollinger Fourchon, and Grand Isle Shipyards, paving the for the development of a versatile heavy industry facility on Fourchon Island. The facility will cater to a wide range of services, including deepwater rig, drillship, and heavy lift installation vessel repair and refurbishment, wind farm fabrication, assembly and repair, general heavy industry fabrication, project cargo and logistics, as well as decommissioning.

GLPC Executive Director Chett Chiasson called the development a “game changer” for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

“Currently, there is some limited rig repair and refurbishment done in the United States, but companies generally must transit long distances for this capability that’s conducted at heavy equipment yards located outside of the United States. With more repair, refurbishment, and decommissioning coming online, the planned facility on Fourchon Island will enable the U.S. to capture this work,” said Chiasson.

GLPC in 2018 reached an agreement with landowner Edward Wisner Donation Trust to lease of over 900 acres of property immediately south of the Port Fourchon to develop the Fourchon Island site.

Considering Port Fourchon’s critical role in the support and logistics of deepwater energy activities in the Gulf of Mexico, the Fourchon Island development will provide a central location for servicing deep draft vessels, final assembly and load out for offshore wind farm facilities, and the decommissioning of existing and future offshore facilities.

“The potential for the state of Louisiana and the country cannot be overstated,” Chiasson said.

Plans are already underway to construct a bridge and connector road that will link Port Fourchon with the 1,000-plus acre site. According to Chiasson, the historic agreement provides the GLPC with more ability to apply for additional funds to aid in the process of helping Fourchon Island reach its full potential.

“We have aggressively pursued dollars to build the bridge and connector road, and that project is on track to begin construction in the near future,” he said. “However, the complete development of Fourchon Island requires partnerships such as this to be successful. The commitment shown by these tenants will be the key to unlocking the growth of Port Fourchon moving forward.”

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