Geotechnical engineering in Senegal: AGTS provides expertise to secure the Dakar LNG terminal
A major energy challenge in Senegal
Access to competitive energy is the main lever for industrial development in West Africa. The government of Senegal has a clear ambition: to massively integrate liquefied natural gas (LNG) into its energy mix in order to drastically reduce electricity costs. The Dakar LNG terminal project, managed by ELTON, is part of this major economic transformation. The success of this infrastructure depends on a flawless technical design, capable of withstanding colossal loads in a marine environment. AGTS provides decisive added value here, securing the initial design phases through its in-depth knowledge of the terrain.
Designing the Dukes of Alba: the challenge
Mooring and berthing dolphins are essential structures for the safety of LNG tankers. These insulated pillars, solidly anchored to the seabed, absorb impact energy during docking and keep the vessel stationary, thus preventing any risk of collision with the gas transfer facilities. In addition, prior to any construction work, rigorous precision is required to make the seabed "speak".
A record-breaking polling campaign
To characterize the site, AGTS teams carried out a massive drilling campaign. More than 2,000 linear meters (ml) were drilled offshore, supplemented by 500 ml onshore. This density of data enables accurate modeling of the sedimentary layers. The processing of this complex information enables the bearing capacities of future driven piles to be defined. The necessary behavior laws are then provided to design offices to simulate the interactions between the soil and the structure.
Driveability: Controlling the feasibility of threshing
One of the critical points of this project is the pile driving study, also known as "Driveability". Dakar's subsoil is partly composed of heterogeneous marl-limestone, a terrain that presents risks of premature rejection during pile installation. If a pile jams or is damaged before reaching its target depth, the consequences are severe. To avoid this, AGTS uses advanced numerical simulations as part of its G2 PRO (Design) mission, which aims to minimize operational and financial risks for the client. By anticipating the ground's reactions, we can transform geological uncertainty into a controlled and secure execution plan.
Geotechnical expertise for the future
This project demonstrates that the success of major energy projects depends on the technical rigor applied from the outset. AGTS brings its expertise to bear in building resilient structures, illustrating that soil control is the first link in the industrial safety chain.
Discover AGTS services
To help you secure your infrastructure projects, AGTS offers the following solutions:
- Geotechnical engineering assignments from G1 to G5
- Materials and soil mechanics laboratory (roads, bridges, dams, buildings)
- Geophysics
- Topography and photogrammetry
- Bathymetry
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