M.A.R.S. Headquarters & Rig Decommissioning Hub — Gibson, LA
Location & Setup
The yard opened in spring 2010, located at 499 Powhatten Court, Gibson, LA along Bayou Black, roughly 20 miles from the Eugene Island Sea Buoy on the Intracoastal Waterway.
The facility spans 74 acres, with 1,700 feet of waterfront and 950 feet of bulkhead. An additional 1,800 feet is reserved for fleeting operations.
It supports water depths ranging from 16 to 20 feet, with no height restrictions from the Gulf—facilitating easy access for offshore structures.
Equipment & Capabilities
Heavy-lift cranes power the operation, including:
A 600-ton derrick barge
A 1,000-ton derrick barge
An 18,000 Manitowoc (250 T) crane
A 2250 Manitowoc 250-ton truck crane
Support machinery includes multiple material handlers (with magnets and grapples), front-end loaders, and a Genesis 1000 shear.
Operational Efficiency
The average barge turnaround is 3–4 business days, contingent on material size, setup, and weather.
M.A.R.S. doesn’t charge for offloading material—instead, they pay competitive, steel-tonnage-based rates, using a certified Fairbanks scale.
They also offer roll-off container pickup, barge setups, ballast, and fabrication of transport aids—like pipe stanchions and grillage—at minimal cost, boosting efficiency and savings for clients.
Reputation & Reach
M.A.R.S. was founded in 1971 by Dwight “Butch” Caton Sr.—a testament to over five decades of service.
It has recycled nearly 10 million tons of offshore oil and gas structures, salvaged over 10,000 barges, and dismantled hundreds of ships.
Today, it stands as the largest barge dismantler and offshore decommissioning provider in the U.S., with 350 employees across Gulf Coast facilities.
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Summary Table
Feature Details
Facility Size & Layout 74 acres, 1,700 ft waterfront, additional 1,800 ft for fleeting
Water Access 16–20 ft depth, Gulf access with no height restrictions
Heavy-Duty Equipment Multiple cranes (600T, 1,000T, 250T), handlers, loaders, Genesis shear
Turnaround Time 3–4 business days on average
Business Model Pays for scrap (tonnage basis), no offload fees, fabricated aids provided
Legacy & Scale Founded in 1971, ~10M tons recycled, largest in U.S. decommissioning market
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Bottom Line
The images and data underscore that M.A.R.S.’ Gibson facility isn’t just a dismantling yard—it’s a strategic marine industrial hub, optimized for scale, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. With powerful equipment, expert processes, and decades of experience, M.A.R.S. has positioned itself as a linchpin in offshore structure recycling and decommissioning.
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