A $40 million expansion of the jet fuel storage facility was undertaken at the Vancouver International Airport to increase fuel storage from 12 million to 52 million litres to keep pace with growing demand. The two-year project consisted of the construction of four aboveground steel tanks surrounded by a retention berm, along with a fuel processing area and operations building.
The facility was built to stringent building and seismic code with more than 1,000 stone columns to densify the ground prior to construction. The tanks employ floating roofs to reduce emissions and reduce water ingress. The facility is fully automated with controls, backup power, surveillance and fire protection, and requires manpower only for routine maintenance and inspection. The facility increases on-airport fuel reserves from one day to more than five days.
