The 93.5-metre diameter dome with a weight of 1,300 tonnes is one of the largest of its type in the world

This project consolidates DF's leadership in the fuel storage field with Felguera-IHI as the worldwide pioneer in this innovative technology

Duro Felguera, through its subsidiary Felguera-IHI, has successfully completed the dome air-rising process of the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tank that it is constructing for Fluxys LNG in Zeebrugge, Belgium.

This task is one of the main milestones of a turnkey project that also includes the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning of the 180,000-cubic metre tank and a boil-off gas recovery system at the client's LNG terminal in the port of Zeebrugge. After the extension, the storage capacity will exceed half a million cubic metres, making it one of the facilities with the largest LNG terminalling capacities in Europe.

This project consolidates DF's leadership in the fuel storage field with Felguera-IHI as the worldwide pioneer in this innovative technology and joins others under construction by the company in Canada, Peru, Costa Rica and Bahrain, among other markets.

Felguera-IHI sets the standard for raising complex structures

Given the millimetric precision required for continuous, balanced hoisting of the dome, placing the roof of a LNG tank is considered to be the most complex and delicate phase of the construction process. A pneumatic pressurisation system that raises the structure in a safe, controlled manner was used to execute the task. The habitual difficulty of this type of undertaking was increased by the size of the dome: with a diameter of 93.5 metres and a weight of 1,300 tonnes, it is one of the largest of its type in the world.

The country's requirement that the self-supporting full containment tank (one 9% nickel steel inner tank and an outer tank of post-tensioned reinforced concrete) be partially buried added another layer of extraordinary technological complexity of which very few companies are capable.

Having successfully reached this milestone, DF will now finish assembly of the inner tank and its insulation and perform the associated testing. The Company will then be able to conduct the hydrostatic tests as the prior step to commissioning the facility.

DF is also installing the boil-off gas recovery system that enables recirculation and recovery of evaporated LNG during shipping operations. The four compressors that comprise this system are the first that Felguera-IHI (through his Japanese partner IHI) has manufactured with dual technology that enables the same compressor to work within both the high and low pressure ranges. These units have already been delivered to the construction site and are currently undergoing electromechanical assembly.

About Duro Felguera

Duro Felguera is a company specializing in executing turnkey projects for the energy, industrial and Oil & Gas sectors; it is also well-known as a supplier of specialized services for industries and as an expert manufacturer of capital goods.

With over 150 years' experience in industrial activities, DF is currently engaged in carrying out integrated projects for the construction of all kinds of power generation plants, mineral treatment and bulk-handling facilities, fuel storage plants and other facilities and installations for the Oil & Gas industry. The company executes all the processes required for the successful completion of the projects: engineering, supply, erection, commissioning, operation and maintenance.

About Fluxys

Fluxys Belgium is the independent operator of both the natural gas transmission grid and storage infrastructure in Belgium. The company also operates the Zeebrugge LNG terminal. Driven by our first-mover approach, we have developed our infrastructure into the veritable crossroads for international gas flows in North Western Europe.