【Haichuan Overseas Engineering】Sets a new record! The main structure of 2 large crude oil storage tanks with a capacity of 25,800 cubic meters was installed in 55 days at the Rumaila MQ project in Iraq

Thread Content

Recently, Team 316 of CNPC First Construction Company employed a hydraulic jacking inversion method during the construction of large crude oil storage tanks at the Rumaila MQ project in Iraq. It managed to complete the installation of the structures for two large crude oil storage tanks with a capacity of 25,800 cubic meters each in just 55 days, setting a new record for construction efficiency in similar projects overseas. The two storage tanks being constructed this time have a diameter of 45.6 meters, a height of 21.9 meters, and a weight of 520 tons; they face challenges such as a tight schedule and limited space. Compared to the traditional construction methods, which suffer from excessive reliance on scaffolding, long construction periods, and high safety risks, Team 316 innovatively adopted a hydraulic jacking top-down construction technique, transforming high-altitude work into ground-based operations and thereby significantly improving construction safety and efficiency. During construction, the project team first completed the installation of the tank bottom and top. By using specialized hydraulic equipment, along with meticulous organization and advanced synchronization control systems, and through the coordinated efforts of various teams, key processes such as the installation of tank panels, lifting and alignment, and welding were carried out smoothly. This approach reduced the installation time for a single set of wall panels from 10 days to 8 days, allowing both tanks to be constructed simultaneously. Ultimately, the project not only met all planned milestones safely and to high standards, with a first-pass weld qualification rate of 99.6% – far exceeding industry standards – but also achieved improvements in safety, quality, and efficiency.