LNG-Terminal, Stade
Stade, Germany / 02.2024 - 08.2024
In 2027, the Hanseatic Energy Hub in Stade will become the first German onshore terminal for liquefied gases (LNG) to be put into operation. PORR Spezialtiefbau constructed the pile foundation for the two largest LNG tanks in Europe, each with a filling capacity of 240,000 cubic metres, on behalf of the general contractor FCC Industrial Deutschland. PORR Special Civil Engineering was responsible for the execution planning.
In order to ensure the security of energy supply in Germany, floating LNG terminals have been gradually put into operation in the North and Baltic Seas since 2022. In the LNG process, natural gas is cooled down to -164 °C and liquefied. In this aggregate state, it takes up only 1/600 of the volume of natural gas and can be transported by ship.
Priority given to protecting the environment and resources
The Oldenburg branch of PORR special civil engineering produced 1,490 Frankipile NG® piles with a diameter of 610 millimetres for the pile foundations of the enormous LNG tanks. The geological conditions and static requirements called for pile lengths of 24 metres. ‘We recommended the Frankipfahl pile because of its high load-bearing capacity. This meant that the number of piles originally planned could be significantly reduced. This made the project more economical and allowed us to complete it around two weeks ahead of schedule,’ says PORR special civil engineering project manager Martin Puchler.
Facts & Figures
Company
PORR Spezialtiefbau GmbH
Type
Foundations
Runtime
02.2024 - 08.2024
Europe's largest LNG tanks: foundation work completed by PORR special civil engineering
Watch our project video* : |
The Frankipile NG®, also known as the ‘green pile’, offers further benefits. Due to the inner pipe pile, only low noise emissions occur during production. In addition, the CO2 footprint during production is significantly reduced. No drillings accumulate during the manufacturing process due to soil displacement, which makes additional transport and external utilisation unnecessary. Furthermore, the use of slender displacement piles saves a considerable amount of concrete compared to alternative pile systems. This leads to a conservation of resources. In order to prove the required high load transfer, five test piles were manufactured and tested in advance.
In addition to the reduction in CO2 emissions, environmental protection was the top priority. The wash water from the cement mixers was collected in a special sedimentation tank and treated. Noise and vibration levels were measured in advance to protect the wildlife in the Elbe. Last but not least, the work area was watered during dry periods to prevent dust.
* (Videoplattform Vimeo)
