Very Large Floating Structures may be located near Pulau Jong

The area off Pulau Sebarok is being considered for locating Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS) for storing "oil and petrochemical products".This probably explains the recent soil investigation works there. Pulau Sebarok is our Port's 'petrol station' with major bunkering facilities. It lies just off Pulau Jong, which is among our last untouched Southern Islands.

Here's a view of Pulau Jong with Pulau Sebarok in the background.

Among the special marine life there is a Giant clam (Tridacna maxima) that may be the last of its kind in our waters. Below is a wider view of the wild Pulau Jong, behind it the bunkering facilities on Pulau Sebarok.

Will the VLFS be safe?

It will be huge. For VLFS to be viable, the minimum storage capacity should be 300,000 cu m - equivalent to that of a big tanker. In an earlier report, it was said that the VLFS "is also a marine-friendly eco system as the VLFS, being afloat in the sea, will allow seawater to flow underneath the floating modules and will not cause any irreversible damage to the marine ecosystem."

I hope those conducting the study will take into account the recent possible boat collision on Pulau Jong. Not to mention the gianormous container ship that ran aground near Pulau Sebarok a few months ago.
More about the VLFS

Phase 1 studies, completed in late 2007, showed such floating storage to be technically feasible and comparable in cost to land-based oil storage. JTC will decide whether to build the VLFS depending on the outcome of the Phase 2 study which will be completed next March. Phase 2 covers possible sites, environmental impact, engineering design, business model and security of the VLFS. Each VLFS would store as much oil as a very large crude carrier (VLCC).

The site study was to conduct initial screening of available water space followed by detailed screening, ranking the sites based on usage constraints. The study will cover anchorage and navigation areas, pipeline and cable routes, wave height, wind speed, coral reefs, mangrove stands, recreational areas and aquaculture facilities.

A VLFS would comprise two rectangular modules, each measuring 180m by 80m by 15m and with 150,000 cu m of storage capacity. Preliminary cost estimates are at least $180 million, comparable to the cost of onshore storage.

Related posts

• Very Large Floating Oil Storage in Singapore
• More reclamation at Jurong Island?
• Soil investigation works near Pulau Jong until Jan 10

More about Pulau Jong and Pulau Sebarok

• Past field trips to Pulau Jong.
• Photos of marine life at Pulau Jong.
• Joseph Lai also has a list of plants found on Pulau Jong on his eart-h.com.
• Ship grounding on the corals of Pulau Jong? on the colourful clouds blog.
• Similar marine investigations at Pulau Sebarok were done earlier this year.
• Container ship ran aground near Pulau Sebarok in Sep 09.

Related media articles

• JTC tender for floating storage on the way Phase two project studies over; Pulau Sebarok likely site Ronnie Lim, Business Times 30 Mar 10;
  
• Demand looking good for floating oil storage in Singapore But one question is whether demand will be sustainable in the long run Ronnie Lim, Business Times 10 Dec 09;
  
• Floating tankfarm may be sited off Pulau Sebarok Outcome depends on metocean, sea current monitoring feasibility studies Ronnie Lim, Business Times 1 Dec 09;
  
• Need for floating oil storage in Singapore gets more pressing Ronnie Lim, Business Times 17 Feb 09;
• Singapore looks set to build floating oil storage Ronnie Lim Business Times 3 Oct 07
• Under study - storing oil out at sea Ronnie Lim Business Times 17 Jul 07