Safety First
The way we manage risks has led to strong performance, ensuring a safe work environment and minimizing the occurrence of incidents.
People’s safety is fundamental to Gasmar; it is non-negotiable and at the heart of our work. We operate by protecting our employees, contractors, customers, and communities through a methodology that includes identifying potential risks, implementing measures to prevent them, and continuously educating employees and contractors about unsafe behaviors.
COMPLIANCE AND COMMITMENT
- Lighters or cigarettes of any kind are prohibited, and cell phones may not be used in our terminals; we seek to eliminate even the slightest possibility of ignition.
- We continuously train our staff in emergency response in Texas, United States.
- Before each gas unloading and loading operation, we thoroughly inspect the connections to prevent any possibility of leaks during the process.
- We have a control room that monitors operations online 24/7 to ensure safe and controlled performance at all times.
PREVENTION AND MONITORING
We provide ongoing training for our staff, including knowledge related to firefighting, as well as technology to constantly monitor and activate mechanisms, even remotely.
Monitoreo Permanente
experiencia internacional
Estricto control
MONITOREO Medio AMBIENTAL
En terreno
cooperación con bomberos
Our processes in 3 steps:
Step 1
Gasmar receives a ship carrying liquefied gas imported by its customers at the dock adjacent to its facilities.
Step 2
Expert personnel connect the ships to our facilities using hoses. Using a system of booster pumps, we fill our tanks, which have a combined storage capacity of 165,000 m³ across both terminals, making us the leading liquefied gas storage facility on the west coast of South America.
Step 3
The liquefied gas is delivered to our customers according to their requirements. In Quintero, shipments are made via a third-party-owned pipeline that reaches our customers’ filling plants in the Metropolitan Region, or by truck. In both Quintero and Mejillones, the gas is transported by trucks that the customers themselves bring to the terminals.
For further details about our processes, take the following virtual tour.
Quintero Terminal
1. GAS RECEIPT AT THE DOCK
When scheduled by our customers, ships loaded with liquefied gas arrive at the dock in front of the Gasmar plant and are unloaded in a process that takes about two days per ship. Liquefied gas, being refrigerated, reaches a liquid state that allows for economical and safe transport and handling. The safety controls and measures prior to and during the unloading process are extremely rigorous. The operation is carried out using connections and hoses equipped with built-in bidirectional safety valves.
2. SHORE SECTION
Before reaching the plant area, the beach facilities—which have recently been renovated—are located. Here, additional booster pumps increase the ship’s unloading flow rate. Additionally, these facilities heat the gas from minus 42 degrees Celsius to room temperature for delivery to our customers.
3. TRENCH AREA (PIPING)
Once the liquefied gas begins to be unloaded, it is transported through pipelines to our storage tanks. All of the terminal’s pipelines comply with stringent international standards, ensuring reliable operation.
4. TANK NO. 5 AND SAFETY BASINS
This is the terminal’s largest storage structure, with a capacity of 60,000 m³, or 35,000 tons. It can store the contents of approximately 2.3 million gas cylinders and was built in 2014. This is the newest tank at the plant and includes water sprinklers for cooling and equidistant monitors at four points around the tank, remotely controlled by electric motors from the control room.
The safety pools contain approximately 11 million liters of water to support the fire suppression system, meeting stringent international regulatory standards.
5. STORAGE AREA TANKS NO. 1 TO NO. 4
Tanks 1 through 4 are located here, with a combined storage capacity of 85,000 m³. Like Tank No. 5, they are equipped with water sprinklers for cooling and monitors remotely controlled by electric motors from the control room.
6. COOLING UNITS
The pressure increase naturally generated by the gas is constantly and automatically controlled by the refrigeration units. We have robust units, with equipment that is continuously inspected and updated, ensuring we always have operational units and backup units available.
7. ODORIZER AND CHROMATOGRAPH AREA
This is one of the most important areas of the terminal, as a large part of the security measures relate to what happens here: the addition of odorant to the liquefied gas. Liquefied gas in its original state is odorless; the scent known as the “gas smell” is the result of adding an odorizing compound in very small doses: 24 grams—about a coffee cup’s worth—per ton of gas.
8. TRUCK LOADING AREA
A portion of our gas is transported by truck, which we load in specially designated areas. The truck entering our facility is weighed, and the safety measures of the terminal and the vehicle are checked, followed by static elimination.
Regulations for Semi-Trailer Entry into the Terminal.
9. PIPELINE
Much of the liquefied gas delivered from our Quintero terminal is transported via a third-party-owned pipeline network to Santiago, where our customers fill cylinders and begin distributing the gas to households.
10. SAFETY TORCHES
We have two safety flares as an additional safety measure to address pressure increases that may occur in the tanks. When a pressure increase occurs that cannot be absorbed by the cooling unit, valves automatically open to release the excess pressure into the flares. By protocol, the flares must always be lit.
11. CONTROL ROOM
In this area—where we have complete control of the plant—we receive all signals from our equipment and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Inside, operators and shift supervisors continuously monitor the plant’s operations.
What is liquefied gas used for?
Mejillones Terminal
1. GAS RECEIPT AT THE DOCK
When scheduled by our customers, ships loaded with liquefied gas arrive at the dock located in front of the Gasmar plant. From here, the gas is unloaded and transported to the plant. Propane (more commonly known as liquefied gas) is an odorless gas that, when cooled, reaches a liquid state, allowing for economical and safe transport and handling. The safety controls and measures before and during the unloading process are extremely rigorous. The operation is carried out using a hose equipped with a built-in two-way safety valve.
2. PIPE RACK SECTION
Once propane begins to be unloaded, it is transported through pipelines to our storage tank. All of the terminal’s pipelines comply with stringent international standards, ensuring reliable operation.
3. TANK
The plant’s sole tank has a capacity of 20,000 m³ and was manufactured in 2022. It includes water sprinklers for cooling and equidistant monitors at four points around the tank, which are activated by its protection systems.
4. REFRIGERATION UNIT
The pressure increase naturally generated by the gas is constantly and automatically controlled by the refrigeration unit. This process keeps the propane at low temperatures, facilitating its containment and storage.
5. PUMP AREA
The pump area is located next to the tank, and its function is to transfer liquid propane from the tank to the heating system for subsequent distribution.
6. HEATER ZONE
The liquid propane coming from the tank passes through the heating area, where the temperature rises from -42°C to 10°C. The heater inside contains a 50-50 mixture of ethylene glycol and water, which functions as an industrial water bath system. To operate, these heaters use the same propane from the system.
7. ODORIZER ZONE
Liquefied gas in its original state is odorless; the scent known as the “gas smell” is the result of adding an odorizing compound in very small doses: 24 grams—about a coffee cup’s worth—per ton of gas.
8. TRUCK LOADING AREA
Stored propane is shipped via trucks, which we load in specially designated areas. The truck entering our plant is weighed, and then the safety measures of the terminal and the transport are checked, followed by the elimination of static electricity.
9. SAFETY FLARE
We have a safety flare as an additional measure to address pressure increases that may occur in the tank. When a pressure increase occurs that is not absorbed by the cooling unit, a valve automatically opens to release the excess pressure into the flare. By protocol, the flare must always be lit.
10. SPILL CONTAINMENT PIT
In the event of a tank rupture, the product is directed through parapets into the spill containment pit. This is a safety measure to contain the liquid and control product evaporation.
11. CONTROL ROOM
In this area—where we have complete control of the plant—we receive all signals from our equipment and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Inside, operators and the shift supervisor continuously monitor the plant’s operation.
