Norwest Engineering provided detailed engineering services for transforming an old naval base and existing concrete dock structure into one of the largest marine export crude terminals in the Gulf of Mexico. The facility was designed for supporting inbound pipeline receipt of 300,000 barrels per day (bpd), storage, metering, and marine export operations.
Key elements of the project included inbound pipeline integration, a large crude oil storage matrix with 2.1 million barrels of capacity, high-capacity loading pumps, custody transfer metering systems, and marine loading facilities capable of handling up to 80,000 barrels per hour across seven loading arms at three berths. Norwest also engineered dock safety systems, vapor combustion systems, and full supporting civil, structural, and electrical infrastructure.
Throughout detailed design, Norwest identified and implemented several cost-saving and constructability improvements, including optimization of tank farm spacing and pump configuration changes that reduced footprint and equipment count while maintaining performance. Despite significant client-driven scope changes and challenging coastal site conditions, the project was completed on schedule and is fully operational.
