Europe's largest butane storage tank inaugurated
Petrotahlil - Oiltanking Antwerp Gas Terminal N.V. (OTAGT) has successfully commissioned a fully refrigerated, double containment tank of 135 000 m3, thereby doubling its storage capacity.
The tank is designed to store butane on behalf of INEOS and marks a first step in the terminal's expansion plans. A second fully refrigerated tank with similar storage dimensions is currently under construction at OTAGT.
With a diameter of 87 m and a height of 59 m, the tank does not go unnoticed when visiting the left bank of the port of Antwerp. The order of magnitude of the project becomes apparent when taking note of some facts and figures. The tank structure contains approximately 43 600 m3 of concrete - delivered by 5,400 trucks - and 9750 t of steel. After 950 000 contractor working hours, 3600 toolbox meetings and over 2600 safety walks, the tank was ready to put into service.
Douglas van der Wiel, Senior Vice President EMEA, commented: "By completing this project, Oiltanking reiterates its capability as a world class service provider for gas logistics. The Oiltanking brand represents quality backed by highly experienced and skilled people, working together as a team. This project had its challenges along the way, but the project team managed to progress the construction in accordance with all applicable standards and more importantly in a safe way. We would obviously like to thank INEOS for its continued trust in our company as well as our employees, our main contractor TGE, and all other stakeholders involved for the hard work put in enabling us to reach this milestone."
OTAGT herewith reaffirms its position as leading gas storage hub within the ARA region (Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam). Oiltanking GmbH acquired OTAGT in 2016 in light of its strategy to further expand its chemicals and gas assets portfolio. Apart from being located in the petrochemical heart of Europe, the terminal is heavily integrated with the surrounding industry and connected to all major pipeline networks.
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