Ground Improvement Allows Refinery to Expand
Location
Gulf Coast
Industry
Oil & Gas
Challenge
Prepare an active refinery for expansion by strengthening its subsurface
As part of a larger capital program, an active refinery sought to expand its footprint to accommodate 14 tanks and four pump pads. Before construction could start, the subsurface required in-situ solidification/stabilization.
ENTACT specializes in supporting clients during capital expansion projects with safe and cost effective ground improvement services. We recognize that our work often leads site expansion construction, so it is our job to stay on schedule and on budget.
ENTACT Solution
Once we determined the successful stabilization approach for this refinery, we brought in specialized equipment for soil mixing and to install a series of cement columns under each planned tank footprint.
- Tested for optimal reagent and mixing program for ground improvement goals
- Installed a series of 8-foot diameter soil-cement columns on an 11-foot by 11-foot grid underneath the planned footprint of each tank foundation
- Constructed a series of overlapping 8-foot diameter columns along the footprint of each future tank foundation ring
- Utilized two in-situ vertical auger mixing rigs and grout batch plants concurrently to accomplish the soil mixing work
The Results
- Locations were prepped and ready for refinery equipment (tanks and pump pads); tank diameters ranged from 78 to 212 feet
- Treated 205,000 cubic yards of subsurface material using Portland cement
- Achieved minimum unconfined compressive strength of 200 PSI in 28 days
