The new facility will initially support the offshore installation phase of the Inpex-operated Ichthys LNG project, which includes local support for the preparation, storage and routine maintenance of subsea equipment supplied by GE Oil & Gas.

Browse was back in the headlines last week, with WA Premier Colin Barnett shaping up against the Commonwealth and Woodside Petroleum to demand Browse gas be developed for the state with as much local industry participation as possible.

The proposed mega-project is on schedule for a final investment decision in by mid-2016.

Barnett told the Browse JV partners that renewing the leases in state waters over two-thirds of the Torosa field - and eventually developing the asset - would depend on whether they committed to a local supply base and domestic gas supply.

While Browse is likely to require up to three Korean-built FLNG facilities, the subsea development would likely be supported from GE's new Broome facility.

The WA government also wants a supply base built at James Price Point, the controversial location for the now scrapped onshore Browse gas plant.

A supply base and domestic gas plant would complement the new GE facility, which GE oil & gas regional director Mary Hackett described as "an exciting milestone for our business in

Australia".

"We are proud to be able to provide customers a solution that will mean better and more efficient operational and maintenance support for crucial offshore LNG development. It is great to deliver that excellence as part of the Broome community," Hackett said.

"This facility has been built by locals, it is supported by local businesses and services, and the

GE team members live in Broome.

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

GE has invested more than $800 million in infrastructure to support energy and power generation projects in Australia since 2005, riding on the crest of the LNG wave.

"The Broome facility is another example of GE's commitment to delivering real solutions to our customers, and where they need them," Hackett said.

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

The facility includes some 500 square metres of warehouse space, 120sq.m of office space and 4000sq.m of equipment hardstand area.

Following a comprehensive open tender, construction was awarded to Broome-based majority Indigenous owned contractor, H&M Tracey Construction.

Construction of the facility was completed in December 2014 and the Broome GE team dispatched the first equipment to support the commencement of the first development well in the Ichthys field in late January.

The Broome location was chosen for its proximity to the offshore operations and to complement Inpex's existing offshore support infrastructure in Broome.

The Japanese oiler also has dedicated office space at the new GE facility.

The Broome location is well placed to support other planned developments in the region, such as Browse LNG, Poseidon or Crux, and exploration for companies such as Inpex and Santos, who have substantial holdings in the Browse Basin.

Throughout its operation, GE will continue to utilise local services and suppliers where possible.

The new facility will work in conjunction with GE's established operations in Jandakot, south of

Perth.

GE is operating on every major LNG project being developed in Australia, providing technology, equipment and servicing to the industry.