Storage tanks at the Beira Petroleum Terminal in Mozambique, founded on CFA piles. 

installing CFA piles at igbtl beira oil storage terminal in mozambique

The project

A Joint Venture was created between Galp Energia (a Portuguese Company), IPG - Independent Petroleum Group (a Kuwaiti Company) and SPI - Sociedade Gestão e Investimentos (a Mozambican Company) to build a bulk storage plant with a capacity of 67000m³ of diesel, petrol and biofuel at the Beira Petroleum Terminal in Mozambique.

The terminal occupies a total area of 4.7 ha.

The challenge

Ground conditions in the project area were very challenging, with very soft peaty clays extending to depths of between 21 and 26m bgl.  We used our extensive experience in the area to overcome these difficulties.

The approval process of the foundations design was lengthy causing some delays that were successfully recovered. 

The solution

The proposed development included six petroleum and water storage tanks of 20-32.5m diameter and various light supporting structures. Our proposal was to have the storage tanks founded on 650mm CFA piles installed to depths of 26m and to have the light structures founded on similar piles installed to depths of 17m. Pile design was carried out from two static pile load tests conducted on site with reference to Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design.

The total number of piles installed was 414 CFA piles. 

Project facts

Owner(s)

GALP Energia

Keller business unit(s)

Keller Mozambique

Main contractor(s)

Steval Mozambique Lda