THAPSUS

• Latitude: 35.9248
• Longitude: 11.567
• West Mediterranean
• Offshore Terminal in Tunisia

Location: Tunisia

The Offshore Terminal THAPSUS is an integral part of Tunisia’s oil and gas infrastructure. Located offshore near Skhira in the Gulf of Gabes, it serves as a key facility for the storage and transportation of petroleum products. The terminal is designed to accommodate large oil tankers and facilitate the import and export of crude oil and refined products. Below is a detailed description and specification of the Offshore Terminal THAPSUS:

Description:

• Location: Offshore near Skhira, Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia.
• Function: Primarily used for the storage and export of crude oil and other petroleum products.
• Accessibility: Accessible by oil tankers and connected to onshore facilities via pipelines.

Specifications:

Infrastructure:

• Mooring System: The terminal is equipped with Single Point Mooring (SPM) or Multiple Buoy Mooring (MBM) systems to secure the vessels during loading and unloading operations.
• Max Vessel Size: Capable of accommodating Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) up to 320,000.
• Draft Depth: Sufficient water depth to handle deep-draft vessels, with specific depths often exceeding 20 meters.

Storage and Handling:

• Storage Capacity: Multiple floating and onshore storage tanks with a combined capacity of several million barrels.
• Loading/Unloading Rate: High-capacity pumps for efficient loading and unloading, with rates often exceeding 10,000 barrels per hour.

Pipelines:

• Pipeline Network: Extensive network of subsea and onshore pipelines linking the terminal to refineries and other facilities on land.
• Diameter: Typically ranging from 24 to 48 inches, depending on the specific pipeline.

Safety and Environmental Measures:

• Safety Systems: Advanced fire suppression systems, emergency shutdown mechanisms, and oil spill response equipment.
• Environmental Protections: Compliance with international standards for environmental protection, including measures to prevent and mitigate oil spills and other marine pollution.

Auxiliary Services:

• Meteorological and Oceanographic Services: Continuous monitoring of weather and sea conditions to ensure safe operations.
• Navigation Aids: Buoys, beacons, and other navigational aids to assist in safe vessel mooring and operations.
• Support Vessels: Tugboats, pilot boats, and spill response vessels on standby.

Operations:

Loading/Unloading Procedures:

• Tanker Mooring: Upon arrival, tankers are guided to the mooring point by pilot boats.
• Cargo Transfer: Crude oil or refined products are transferred via high-capacity hoses connected to the vessel’s manifold.
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of transfer rates and volume using advanced metering systems.

Maintenance and Inspections:

• Regular Inspections: Routine inspections and maintenance of infrastructure to ensure operational integrity and safety.
• Diver Surveys: Periodic underwater inspections by divers to assess the condition of mooring systems and pipelines.

Regulatory Compliance:

• International Standards: Adherence to International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations and other relevant international standards for offshore operations.
• National Regulations: Compliance with Tunisian laws and regulations governing oil and gas operations.

In summary, the Offshore Terminal THAPSUS is a sophisticated facility designed to handle large volumes of petroleum products safely and efficiently. It plays a crucial role in Tunisia’s energy sector, supporting both domestic consumption and international trade.