Project Description

The Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation constructed a new fuel receiving, storage and delivery system for the Vancouver Airport Authority, featuring a new marine terminal, a fuel receiving facility on the South Arm of the Fraser River, and an underground pipeline to Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

The project included three key areas:

Marine Terminal

The Marine Terminal is a fuel-unloading facility capable of accommodating Panamex-sized vessels, and is comprised of:

• An offshore unloading platform with ship berthing & mooring dolphins with supporting marine structures;
• Onshore facility of supporting buildings and equipment, built on substantial ground improvement zone;
• Mechanical and electrical utilities and services;
• Operations & Control building;
• River Intake fire fighting system; and
• Transfer pipeline from the marine terminal to the inbound filtration and treatment system.

Fuel Storage Facility

The Fuel Storage Facility, or Tank Farm, consists of six (6) steel above-ground API650 storage tanks on ring foundations with a total capacity of approximately 80 million liters, sitting on approximately five hectares of leased federal land. The supporting infrastructure includes:

• HDPE Liner and containment dyke system;
• Outbound pump and filtration system;
• Water and foam fire suppression systems;
• Automated programmable logic control system;
• Security and surveillance systems;
• Backup generators;
• Corrosion protection system;
• Electrical, operations, water treatment and fire suppression buildings;
• Paved access roads and parking lots.

Pipeline

The 14-inch (NPS14) CSA Z662 underground steel pipeline connects the tank farm to the existing fuel storage facilities at YVR, approximately 13 kilometers away. The pipeline includes:

• Pipe within both City of Richmond and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure land corridors;
• 21 horizontal-directional-drills (HDD) that cross major roadways, utilities and the Fraser River;
• One guided horizontal auger bore (GHAB) across Sea Island Way;
• 1,100 meters of open-cut trench installation within Bridgeport Rd, one of the Lower Mainland’s most underground-utility-dense roads;
• 1,100 meters of pipe installed within ‘airside’ of YVR’s security fence;
• Remotely controlled and operated shut-off valves;
• An extensive Impressed Current Corrosion protection system;
• Pre-test and final hydrotest of all sections of pipe installed.

Our Role

RAM was retained to provide full Engineering Coordination, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) Services for this project. Initially, we were engaged to provide a third-party estimate, and then a value-engineering exercise which led to extensive redesign of the tank foundations and pipeline.

As a result of the successful value-engineering redesign and cost savings, the Client retained RAM to lead the full delivery of the project, for which the scope included:

• Identifying the project scope and review contractors’ execution and management plans;
• Leading the value engineering and managing engineering input during execution of the project;
• Monitoring the contractors’ performance and progress in accordance with contractual requirements and overarching Safety and Quality Management plans;
• Implementing project controls to ensure conformity with the project’s budget and master schedule;
• Managing and obtaining timely approvals of all regulatory applications, permits, crossing and proximity agreements, land acquisitions, licenses and authorizations;
• Managing third-party utility relocations and approvals;
• Developing the Project Execution Plan and all associated overarching management plans;
• Procuring specialized and long-lead engineered services, materials and equipment, and managing the supply chain accordingly;
• Expediting the delivery of engineered items;
• Managing the engineering subconsultants and input during execution of the project, as well as managing RFIs and technical documentation;
• Completing oversight of all construction works, including contract administration, schedule, safety, quality, and environmental aspects;
• Implementing and managing common site facilities and services;
• Maintaining the solid commitment to sustainable development, and enhancing relationships with the local and surrounding communities;
• Managing the execution of RFPs & RFQs for all construction work packages and engineered equipment, as well as all subcontract negotiations and awards.