Oikos’ bulk liquid storage terminal on Canvey Island is a strategic part of the United Kingdom’s infrastructure for fuel distribution. Oikos have operated on Canvey Island for over 70 years and, under new ownership, the terminal is currently undergoing major redevelopment. As part of this work an ageing jetty needed to be upgraded.
RSA Geotechnics was employed as the geotechnical sub-consultant to the main contractor, WPH Marine Construction, working under the instructions of the consulting engineers for the project, Haydn Evans Consulting. The fieldwork involved forming a 40m deep exploratory borehole through the existing jetty deck. An interpretative ground investigation report was prepared and the foundation design recommendations were carried out in accordance with Eurocode 7.
The operations were carried out in potentially hazardous conditions working close to highly flammable materials and over-water. The work was completed without road access and in order to form the exploratory borehole the drilling rig was craned from a barge onto the jetty. The site investigation was completed during difficult winter weather conditions and the construction phase of the project was carried out through a hot summer whilst keeping the jetty and service pipes open to fuel delivery ships.
The project was honoured in the 2011 East of England ICE Merit Awards. The judges felt that the particular care paid to operative welfare, site safety and planning around the clients operations deserved recognition.