PipeChina Successfully Installs 821-Ton LNG Tank Dome on Hainan Island Using Air, Not Cranes
Operation precision reached 2 millimeters, accelerating the creation of a regional gas supply hub in Asia
As reported by CCTV+, PipeChina announced on Tuesday the successful installation of a massive 821-ton dome atop a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tank on Hainan Island. The operation took place at the Hainan LNG receiving terminal in Danzhou City as part of the Phase II expansion project.
The dome was raised approximately 43 meters (equivalent to a 15-story building) using pneumatic lifting technology based on controlled airflow, rather than cranes. Engineers used real-time digital monitoring systems to track the process and ensure perfect alignment.
According to Wang Ning, Hainan LNG project manager at PipeChina, the alignment deviation between the dome and the compression ring was kept within 2 millimeters. "This successful operation opens an 'acceleration channel' for the construction of subsequent tanks and lays a solid foundation for making the Hainan Free Trade Port a regional LNG supply hub for ASEAN countries and a storage and transshipment center for the Asia-Pacific region," he said.
Phase I of the terminal includes two tanks with a capacity of 160,000 cubic meters each. Phase II adds three larger tanks of 220,000 cubic meters each. Overall project completion stands at nearly 50 percent, with full completion expected in 2027.
Once operational, the expanded facility will add 400 million cubic meters of gas storage capacity, doubling the site's peak-shaving capabilities, strengthening the emergency response system, and ensuring supply stability for Hainan Province and the coastal regions of southern China.
