FortisBC Tilbury, Phase 2 LNG Expansion Project

FortisBC, the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, expanded its Tilbury liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant to position LNG as a cleaner transportation fuel and energy source for British Columbia.

The FortisBC Tilbury LNG expansion tank was the first concrete dual-containment LNG tank built in British Columbia. The liquefaction and storage tank holds up to 46,000 cubic meters of LNG for local semi-truck collection and distribution. It used 944 tons of rebar, 54,135 linear feet of post-tensioning ducts, and 8,830 CY of concrete.

Baker’s scope included the full construction of the concrete tank. It involved forming, pouring, and stripping concrete for the base slab, walls, roof, and interior leveling courses. We also installed rebar, post-tensioning ducts and heads, heating and inclinometer piping, and miscellaneous embeds.

Typically, thin steel concrete liners in LNG tanks are installed using a paste-on or free-standing approach. However, Baker and Bantrel used a new hybrid construction design that allowed co-workers to install the tank’s liner one lift above the concrete poured and placed below. This new technique enabled Baker to assemble each lift in a continuous 360-degree pour, completing the tank in nine efficient lifts.