The ability to efficiently offload crude oil is critical for oil and gas operators in Eastern Canada, where energy infrastructure underpins vital export operations.
Disruptions at major terminals not only impact local economies but can also have far-reaching effects on supply chains.
Located on the east coast of Newfoundland, the Whiffen Head transshipment marine terminal is a critical storage facility for offshore oil, handling crude oil from multiple production fields in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Operated by IMTT-NTL Ltd, a subsidiary of US‐based International Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT), under a Facility Operating Agreement between NTL (Newfoundland Transshipment Limited) and IMTT, the terminal has been operational since 1998 and is designed to store approximately three million barrels of crude oil.
Wood has held a contract at the terminal since 2019, providing engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction services for multiple projects. Notably, Wood has developed a comprehensive Facility Integrity Program, ensuring that the facility's operational lifespan will be extended for many years.
Reacting to a client’s challenge: tanker allision*
In January 2025, a tanker allided with the jetty causing significant damage and halting all operations. A Wood engineering team in St John’s mobilized immediately to assess the structural damage and make the area safe. Over the following six months Andrew Haglund, Project Manager, Greg Ryan, Construction Lead and Chris King, Construction Manager, oversaw reconstruction efforts to bring jetty operations back online.
*Allision is a nautical term and means the act or an instance of a ship striking a stationary object. A collision is where two moving vessels crash into each other.
We interviewed Andrew to discover the challenges of solving this complex and rapid reconstruction.
Immediate priorities: establishing safety and a temporary operation
Can you describe the immediate impact of the damage to the jetty and course of action?
IMTT-NTL needed an engineering partner to design and install a temporary system for offloading crude to and from tankers. This system required to use hoses attached to existing piping until a permanent system is installed.
The temporary operation allows for offloading operations while repairs to the loading arms and associated facilities are conducted in conjunction with long term remediation work in 2026, meaning installing new loading arms, a new fire water gangway tower, piping, electrical and instrumentation items, and other associated equipment.
What were the immediate priorities following the tanker allision, and how did Wood mobilize resources so quickly?
The immediate priority was the safety of all personnel and to ensure there was no environmental impact. The next priority was verifying the integrity of structures. Wood was able to execute this efficiently by mobilizing local structural and piping engineers to assess the situation. The inspections were supported by drones and small watercraft for immediate visual evaluations.
Upon completion of several phased assessments, the jetty was eventually deemed accessible by personnel for a full damage assessment followed by a salvage operation with a specialized contractor.
Overcoming challenges: high-risk environments, damages and limited space
What were the biggest engineering challenges during the reconstruction, and how did your team overcome them?
The initial challenge was evaluating the extent of the damage whilst keeping personnel safe given that the equipment and structural damage was within the working area. There were structural integrity concerns which posed a risk to the assessment team and the environment; not knowing if the equipment would fall or the extent that the pressure envelop may be compromised. This required Wood to consult with industry experts and conduct comprehensive risk assessments with a specialized salvage contractor.
Once the assessment was complete, the next challenge was designing a temporary hoses operation at the jetty. Ship-to-ship transfer operations are very expensive and require additional resources (i.e. tugboats) to ensure safe operations, so it was important to resume loading and unloading operations at the facility as quickly as possible. Limited space was available to lay down large, heavy 12” diameter marine offloading hoses and then operate and handle them. Our team consulted with internal industry experts and visited various US facilities to understand hose operations better so that various design items could be incorporated.
Reconstructing using original design knowledge, from 1998
How did collaboration across teams - especially with those involved in the original build - contribute to the success of the reconstruction?
Collaboration between the global IMTT team and Wood was crucial throughout the reconstruction process, enabling teams to share expertise and lessons learned from previous projects.
Wood Engineer, Bill Tucker, was part of the original jetty design and construction team in 1998 and drawing on his knowledge of the jetty's original design, the team was able to swiftly identify key structural vulnerabilities and prioritize remedial actions. Our local structural engineers supported Bill to complete a computer model of the jetty which allowed the team to define the inspection scope based on high stress locations at marine piles and concrete sections.
Resilience and engineering excellence: key highlights
Can you share a moment during the project that highlights the resilience or creativity of the team?
During the planning phase for salvage operations, several options were considered for equipment removal operations. Wood’s local and international knowledge of industry capabilities allowed us to engage the supply chain and select contractors based on their experience to allow the safe removal of all large equipment.
The project team selected a local offshore supply vessel with craneage capacity to aid in the salvage operations. It was nice to see a variety of local offshore supply companies respond very quickly, given the urgency, and contribute to the project's success.
In parallel, Wood’s engineering team evaluated several temporary hose options for temporary loading and offloading operations. Wood’s assessment during the concept selection stage and design review meetings contributed to quickly selecting the best option.
Keeping people safe and unlocking future resilience
What safety protocols were put in place during the reconstruction, especially given the urgency and complexity of the work?
Many safety protocols were put in place along with completing construction risk assessments, HAZOPs (Hazard and Operability Studies) and detailed reviews of contractor execution plans. A safe work zone was engineered to limit access and drop zone risks until the larger damaged equipment was removed.
The equipment was monitored continuously with various digital surveys to confirm its structural stability which played a large role in conducting risk probability profiles for eventually entering the area with salvage personnel and equipment. IMTT-NTL also deployed water booms around the damage location as a precaution to minimize impact to the environment in the event there was release from process lines until all lines were inspected.
How has the reconstruction improved the jetty’s resilience or functionality for future operations?
The structural repairs completed to the pier has enabled the loading platform to return to full service, without limitations. Similarly, the installation of the temporary hoses has allowed the loading and unloading operations to resume at full capacity and eliminated the need for ship-to-ship transfers in the bay.
Permanent equipment is currently under construction, with Wood overseeing engineering, materials procurement, piping and structural fabrication, construction and commissioning. Installation is scheduled for 2026, which will enable the facility to continue operations well into the future.
Wood was also able to take advantage of the downtime at this loading platform to execute some of the work planned during the 2026 terminal shutdown, for example installation of new mooring hooks. Executing this work earlier than planned will potentially reduce the overall downtime required for the 2026 shutdown.
Lessons learned from this marine challenge
What lessons from this project will influence how Wood approaches similar marine infrastructure challenges in the future?
Given the potential impact to local offshore production operations, Wood understood the urgency and prioritized our team to support the initial damage assessment and reconstruction activities to allow the facility to return to safe operations. Identifying and using resources who were familiar with the original design and leveraging global marine engineering experts from other organizations contributed to the overall success of the project.
The key lesson learned was that it is critical to engage subject matter experts to identify fit-for-purpose solutions in a timely manner whilst maintaining a high standard of safety in design and managing client expectations.
The successful temporary reconstruction of the jetty stands as a testament to the value of cross-team collaboration, rigorous safety protocols and adaptability in the face of complex challenges. With over 50 years’ presence in eastern Canada and close ties within the St John’s community, Wood ensured that local knowledge and resources contributed significantly throughout the reconstruction process, strengthening relationships with stakeholders and supporting regional capabilities.
By leveraging the expertise of those involved in the original build, embracing innovative solutions during critical moments and maintaining a laser focus on safety and operational continuity, the project not only restored the terminal to full capacity but also laid the groundwork for a more resilient future.
