LNG Site Development & Preparation

Our client was preparing a site for a future Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Port Isabel, Texas. The terminal would be located on a large 984-acre site along a deepwater channel. The development of this site necessitated significant dredging and the strategic placement of dredged materials, which are typical tasks in heavy civil construction and commercial site development.
 
Instead of opting for off-site disposal, which could cause schedule delays and incur additional costs, the client required the construction of an on-site confined disposal facility (CDF) for placement and dewatering of the dredged material. This approach would financially benefit the client and allow repurposing the filled area as a temporary car park, providing a practical solution for the site’s development needs.

In the development of the LNG terminal site in Port Isabel, Texas, our team carried out excavation and placement of materials to construct the dike walls for the on-site confined disposal facility (CDF). We placed approximately 276,502 cubic yards of dredged material into the CDF, effectively managing the site’s sediment needs. To facilitate the settling of silt within the dredged material, we installed internal trailing dikes, enhancing the efficiency of the sedimentation process, which is a critical aspect of heavy civil construction and dewatering projects.

As dredged material was placed into the CDF, the water containing suspended sediments flowed slowly through the compartments created by these dikes. The reduced flow velocity allowed the sediments to settle out of the water more effectively.

The clarified water was then collected and discharged, while the settled material was left behind to dry out and consolidate. We set up a clarifying flume to ensure that the return water met environmental standards before being reintroduced into the channel. To complete the system, we installed 600 linear feet of piping to direct the clarified water back into the deepwater channel, thus maintaining the site’s environmental integrity and operational efficiency.

The implementation of the on-site confined disposal facility (CDF) at the LNG terminal site in Port Isabel, Texas, yielded significant benefits for the client. The efficient placement of approximately 276,502 cubic yards of dredged material not only ensured proper site preparation but also eliminated the need for costly and time-consuming off-site disposal.

The construction of the dike walls and installation of internal trailing dikes facilitated effective silt settlement, maintaining high water quality standards. The clarifying flume and the 600 linear feet of return piping system successfully directed treated water back into the deepwater channel, adhering to environmental regulations and preserving the aquatic ecosystem.

One of the main advantages for our client was our ability to complete this project, initially planned for seven weeks, within just four weeks. This expedited timeline was crucial in helping the client meet critical milestones in the site’s development, allowing them to stay on schedule for subsequent phases of the LNG terminal project.

Financially, the on-site CDF approach proved to be a cost-effective solution, reducing both project delays and disposal costs. Moreover, the filled area was repurposed as a temporary car park, providing a practical interim use that supported the site’s operational needs during construction. This project not only met the immediate development requirements for the LNG terminal but also laid the groundwork for future expansions, demonstrating a successful integration of environmental stewardship and functional design.