Launching the $10 million Pohokura oil and gas jacket on Friday, Premier and State Development Minister Alan Carpenter said the project had been designed and built entirely in Western Australia.

"The Pohokura was designed, fabricated and assembled in WA by the Ausclad Group of Companies (AGC) using the Common User Facility at the Australian Marine Complex," Mr Carpenter said.

AGC was awarded the $10 million contract from Shell Todd Oil Services (STOS) New Zealand to build the jacket. It will be installed at STOS North Taranaki field off the coast of New Zealand's North Island to enable production of gas and condensate.

"The Pohokura project generated approximately $20 million for the WA economy and is an indication of the rapidly growing expertise and competitiveness in the global offshore oil and gas production industry.

"It will further strengthen WA's international reputation in terms of our shipbuilding and marine-related capabilities."

More than $270 million has been invested in or committed to the Australian Marine Complex to date, including $190 million from the State Government and $80 million from the Federal Government, Carpenter said.

"This includes $90 million for further common user infrastructure announced in August 2005," he said.

"The tender process for this additional development has commenced. Work is due to start shortly, with completion expected by the end of 2007.”

Carpenter said that since opening in July 2003, the Common User Facility had generated more than $55 million in local business and 800 new jobs from some 100 projects using world-class wharf and fabrication facilities.