Oiltanking commissions Europe’s largest butane tank

Oiltanking Antwerp Gas Terminal (OTAGT) has commissioned the largest butane storage tank in Europe, with a capacity of 135,000 m3.

The fully refrigerated, double containment tank has a diameter of 87 m and a height of 59 m, and doubles OTATG’s storage capacity. It will store butane for INEOS. Oiltanking bought the OTAGT in 2016 to expand its chemicals and gas assets portfolio. The terminal is heavily integrated with surrounding industry and is connected to all major pipeline networks. Oiltanking has further expansion plans and is also in the process of building a second fully refrigerated tank of a similar size.

Oiltanking says that the tank contains 43,600 m3 of concrete, which as delivered by 5,400 trucks, and 9,750 tonnes of steel. Getting the tank ready for service required 950,000 contractor working hours, 3,600 toolbox meetings and more than 2,600 safety walks.

‘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,’ says Douglas van der Wiel, Oiltanking senior vice president EMEA.

Source: Tank Storage Magazine