Curaçao is a former Dutch colony – once part of what was known as the Dutch West Indies. Today Curaçao is a popular tourist destination for cruise ships and tourists seeking the Caribbean island’s sandy beaches, clear turquoise waters and colorful Dutch architecture. While tourism is the country’s largest economic source, the second pillar of the country’s economy is oil refining.

Nearly a century ago, Royal Dutch Shell built the country’s first refinery on an inland natural deep water bay to service the oil fields that were discovered at that time in nearby Venezuela. Today the country’s oil and gas industry is booming.

In early 2012, a general contractor was awarded a project by a local fuel and gas distribution company in Willemstad, Curaçao to design and construct three API 650 tanks for the purpose of storing liquid fuel oil. Each tank was to be 36.6 m (120 ft) in diameter and 17.7 m (58 ft) in height, with a nominal storage capacity of 17.000m3 each. The three new tanks would be integrated with the other tanks and would store fuel oil and marine fuel.

Of course, the tanks needed to be covered, so the contractor sought a supplier who could provide the right solution. They chose CST Covers, the world’s largest designer and manufacturer of custom aluminum dome covers and structures.

“CST Covers distinguished itself because of the durability, longevity and inherent low maintenance of its domes,” said the general contractor. “We were also attracted to CST Covers because of its price point, service and relative easy erection design.”

CST Covers engineered and fabricated the aluminum domes to the specific size and requirements of the three tanks. From engineering through production, CST Covers produced and delivered the custom roofs in less than six months. On site in Curaçao, the contractors crews completed the installation of the dome structure and panels inside the tanks and then lifted them in place.

“We have extensive experience working with the oil and gas industry and it is a feather in our cap to partner with the contractor in providing a bespoke storage solution to the economy of Curaçao,” says Carlos Gomez, Latin America Sales Manager, CST Covers.

Since completion of the installation and taken into operation, the tanks and covers are performing to standards and satisfaction of the customer.

Benefits of CST’s Petrochemical Covers:

CST designs clear-span aluminum covers for storage tanks that help operators achieve regulatory compliance and bring new levels of cost efficiency to storage facility operations.

By employing geodesic dome engineering principles and lightweight aluminum materials, CST produces tank covers whose superior strength and design flexibility can be instrumental in meeting the increased regulatory demands of petroleum and chemical storage industries.

• All-Aluminum Structures
• Ease of Installation
• Ideal for New Construction or Retrofit Projects
• No Welding / Hot Work
• Reduces Emissions
• Virtually Maintenance Free
• Eliminates Rain Water in Stored Product
• Compatible With All Stored Products
• Reduces Risk of Fire
• Light Weight Design

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