Project Specifics

Geosyntec developed earthquake, structural, and geotechnical engineering recommendations in support of the front end engineering design (FEED) package and invitation to bid for detailed design of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in a seismically active region of Peru. Our engineers also provided technical guidance and recommendations for the successful stabilization of an 18-million-cubic meter mass movement that developed during site preparation.

Geosyntec Scope of Services

Geosyntec received multiple assignments to provide engineering support to this project, including:

• Review of regional geotechnical, seismological, and geological data to determine foundation design characteristics at the potential sites for the LNG facility. This information was required by the owner for the site selection process
• Determination of design ground motions for the operating basis earthquake and safe shutdown earthquake levels, utilizing both probabilistic and deterministic seismic hazard analysis techniques;
• Specification of structural/earthquake engineering performance requirements and the seismic design criteria of the LNG facility equipment, particularly the LNG storage tanks, LNG loading jetty, gas turbine compressor units, various process columns, and control facilities;
• Identification of economically viable and previously demonstrated structural and foundation design options, and provision of seismic design guidance;
• Development of specifications for the on-shore geotechnical, offshore geotechnical, and offshore geophysical site investigation/data acquisition programs;
• Design of remedial measures for the successful stabilization of a mass movement of approximately 18 million cubic meters that developed during site preparation; and
• Development of predictions of permanent seismically induced displacements of the previously sliding mass and provision of recommendations for the design of structural measures that would minimize the impact of the moving mass on structural components of the LNG facility.

Notable Accomplishments

Our involvement in this project and implementation of our recommendations by the operator and its contractors allowed the safe development and construction of the LNG facility. No unexpected performance issues were identified by the operator, even after a magnitude 8.0 earthquake that struck during plant construction.

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