Development of the Adriatic LNG Terminal Deep Casting Basin Construction Site

Abstract

Abstract The world's first bottom founded offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and re-gasification terminal is under development by affiliates of Qatar Terminal Limited, ExxonMobil and Edison for installation in the Northern Adriatic, 15 km east of Porto Levante, Italy. This paper will describe the unique challenges faced and effort undertaken to locate and transform a casting basin to a world class construction and integration site, including removal of the earthen wall prior to tow-out of the terminal. The concrete gravity based structure (GBS) terminal enclosing two 125,000 m3 LNG tanks and supporting 8 bcm re-gasification facilities will measure 180 meters by 88 meters and be located in 29 meters of water. These dimensions as well as proximity to Porto Levante lead to selection of the casting basin in the Spanish Bay of Algeciras as the construction and integration site. The site is under development by the Algeciras Port Authority for use as a container port, and therefore did not have the infrastructure needed to build the terminal. This paper will provide the basis for how parameters such as size, depth, layout, water and electricity supply, accessibility, dredging requirements, lease requirements, availability of workforce, and capacity for growth were established to result in an effective construction and integration site. Some of the execution technologies used for this terminal, such as removal of the earthen wall, installation of re-gasification facilities and installation of the LNG tanks will also be described. The conclusions drawn in this paper can be utilized for upgrading of an existing construction site, or development of a Greenfield site into an effective facility for future GBSs, floating structures, or large scale construction and integration projects. Definitions: m: meters mt: metric tons GSCM: giga standard cubic meters (billion cubic meters at standard pressure) LAT: Lowest Astronomical Tide APBA: Algeciras Port Authority ALNG Terminal: LNG Terminal built by Terminale GNL Adriatico srl Background Adriatic LNG Terminal, the world's first offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving, storage and regasification terminal is under development by affiliates of Qatar Terminal Limited, ExxonMobil and Edison for installation in the Northern Adriatic, 15 km offshore just East of Porto Levante, Italy in 29 m of water.