V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n

Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Project Overview
Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation is proposing a new aviation fuel delivery
system to serve the airlines at Vancouver International Airport.
Marine Terminal
• Located on the north bank of the south arm of the Fraser River, 15 km upstream
of the mouth
• Accommodate barges and tanker vessels
Fuel Receiving Facility
• Located near the marine terminal
• Includes six steel storage tanks with a total capacity of 80 million litres, with
additional capacity available
Pipeline
• Connect the fuel receiving facility with the airport
• Approximately 15 km long, 300 mm (12 in.) in diameter and buried 2.5 metres
underground

Proposed Marine Terminal and Fuel Receiving Facility

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Why is a New System Needed?

For the past 40 years, aviation fuel has been supplied to YVR through a 150 mm (6 in.)
pipeline from Burnaby, 40 km away. Since the late 1990s, this supply has been augmented
by tanker trucks as YVR’s demand began to exceed the pipeline’s capacity. Over the next 20
years, this system would only be able to meet the long-term requirements of the airport
by adding more trucks to the road. Furthermore, local supply sources have diminished and
airlines are becoming increasingly reliant on imported fuel to meet their needs. There is
limited access to imports on the existing system.
• YVR receives an average of 25 truck deliveries daily, rising to 35 during peak travel periods
• Without a pipeline with greater capacity, tanker truck deliveries could increase to 200
daily within 20 years
• Domestic sources of aviation fuel cannot meet the growing needs of YVR, so access to
off-shore sources will help ensure YVR can serve its airlines and passengers

Aviation fuel properties

Commercial aviation fuel is commonly referred to as jet fuel. It is a kerosene based liquid that pours like water. The
type of jet fuel used by airlines served by VAFFC is called Jet-A, an internationally standardized product that is used
by almost all of the world’s commercial airlines. Jet-A is a clear, straw-coloured liquid, very similar to diesel fuel in
its composition. It is relatively safe to handle at room temperature.
A lit match dropped in a bucket of jet fuel will simply go out. Because it is a product of distillation, jet fuel exposed to
the atmosphere will evaporate completely over time.

Current Supply Network

NORTH
VA N C O U V E R

Westridge Marine Terminal

COQUITLAM

PORT
Chevron Refinery MOODY

Petro-Canada Terminal
BURNABY

Shell Terminal
VA N C O U V E R

By 40 km
pipeline
N EW
W E S T M INSTER

VA N C O U V E R
I N T E R N AT I O N A L
AIRPORT

RICHMOND

By truck SURREY

D E LTA

Map Legend

Tanker Trucks (up to 35 daily)

Marine Tanker/Barge

Pipeline

Spur Line

Refineries WHITE ROCK

B R I T I S H C O LU M B I A

WA S H I N GTO N S TAT E
2.5 1.25 0 2.5 5 7.5
km BP/ARCO Cherry Point Refinery

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Our Proposed New Delivery System

Marine Terminal
• Barges could be expected to deliver fuel once every two weeks with an unloading
time of 12 hours, while larger tankers could be expected once a month with an
unloading time of between 24 and 36 hours
Fuel Receiving Facility
• Aviation fuel will be transferred from the vessels to nearby storage tanks, where
the fuel will be certified for use before entering the pipeline to the airport
Pipeline
• The pipeline will be buried and located within existing transportation and utility
corridors in Richmond

Bridgeport Road

Cambie Road

Alderbridge Way

Westminster Highway

Granville Avenue

Blundell Road
No. 6 Road

Francis Road
Shell Road
No. 4 Road

No. 5 Road

Map Legend
Williams Road
Existing Tank Farm

Fuel Delivery Pipeline Corridor

Possible Fuel Delivery Pipeline Corridor

Steveston Highway
Possible Alignment Alternatives

Possible Fuel Transfer Pipeline Corridor

Proposed Fuel Receiving Facility

Proposed Marine Terminal

Vessel Transit Route

A new, shorter pipeline will transport fuel to YVR from a new fuel receiving facility located on the south arm of the Fraser River at the foot of Williams Road.

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Project Benefits
The project has a number of long-term benefits.
• The new system will be able to reliably meet the future needs of YVR with increased
capacity from a greater number of fuel sources
• The project will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the tanker truck traffic by providing
sufficient capacity in the pipeline
• The reduction of tanker truck traffic will greatly reduce harmful air pollutants
• The marine terminal will allow larger, less frequent deliveries of aviation fuel
• Reduced emissions mean the project will have a smaller environmental footprint
• Dependable, diverse, viable and competitive offshore fuel supply sources mean that
YVR will remain a “gateway of choice” for airlines over other West Coast airports, and
continue as a source of jobs and economic benefits for our community

Daily Fuel Truck Deliveries

from the US to YVR
25 to 35

TODAY

200
20-YEAR FORECAST

Increasing fuel truck deliveries from

Washington State is not an efficient
solution to YVR’s fuel needs. Eliminating
truck deliveries means:
✓✓ Safer roads
✓✓ Less GHG emissions
✓✓ Less traffic

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Safety – Marine Terminal

Public safety and the protection of the environment are fundamental priorities.
• The new marine terminal will be located at one of the widest and deepest sections
of the Fraser River
• Upgrades of the existing wharf will be based on best practice designs and
incorporate state-of-the-art mooring and offloading technologies
• Vessels will be double-hulled
• Government-certified BC marine pilots from the Fraser River Pilots Association
will command the ships on the river
• Tugboats will guide the vessels during mooring
• A Spill Prevention and Emergency Response Plan will be developed, and Western
Canada Marine Response Corporation contracted to provide marine spill
response services

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Safety – Fuel Receiving Facility

Tanks for this project will be located on industrial land adjacent to the terminal,
distant from residential and commercial areas.
The facility will:
• Incorporate fuel containment features, treatment systems and water
quality testing
• Incorporate vapour suppression technologies
• Incorporate a modern corrosion protection system and computerized leak
detection technology
• Be automated, monitored 24 hours daily and electronically safeguarded
through closed-circuit television
• Have on-site operations personnel in attendance during all fuel offloading,
fuel transfer and fuel handling activities

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Safety – Pipeline
Regulated by the BC Oil and Gas Commission, the pipeline will incorporate a number of
important safety features.
• All pipeline infrastructure will employ a modern corrosion protection system and
computerized leak detection technology
• Its walls will be sufficiently thick and strong to guard against seismic events and
other potential damage
• The pipeline will be well marked, mapped and electronically located for reference by
municipal and private contractors performing other work in the vicinity
• Pressure sensors and automatic flow shutoff systems will be incorporated into the
pipeline design to ensure that the flow is shut off immediately in the event the line
is damaged
• The pipeline will be inspected regularly using a high-tech internal probe that runs
the length of the buried pipeline

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Alternatives Evaluated
In 2001, VAFFC initiated an evaluation of alternate long-term fuel delivery system
strategies to YVR, including upgrading or replacing the existing pipeline system.
• Alternatives included combinations of fuel delivery by marine routes, rail,
tanker trucks and pipeline to bring fuel from its source to YVR
• 14 fuel delivery options were identified and assessed on the potential economic,
environmental, social and regulatory impacts associated with their construction
and operation
• Based on this evaluation, the proposed project best meets safety, environmental,
technical and financial criteria, and offers long-term reliability of fuel supply to YVR

KE
E LA
Option 1 Status Quo

STAV
WEST
VANCOUVER - at current demand (up to 35 trucks)
M
AR

Option 2 Status Quo

AN
DI

- at K2010 demand (up to 60 trucks)

IN

NORTH E
VANCOUVER LA
E
Option 3 UE
Upgrade Status Quo
TT
O
PORT
AL - upgraded pipeline
BURRARD MOODY
INLET
COQUITLAM Option 4 Sturgeon Bank
- offshore mooring and pipeline

PORT Option 5 South Arm

BURNABY COQUITLAM - marine terminal and pipeline
14 Option 6
MAPLE South Arm
VANCOUVER RIDGE - marine terminal and road tanker trucks
1
13 No
rt h
Option 7 South Vancouver Storage Terminal
2
Ar
m PITT - rail and pipeline
ER

MEADOWS
ST
TM EW

3 FRASER RIVER
IN

Option 8 Cherry Point Refinery, USA

ES N

12
7 - pipeline
W

4
YVR Option 9 Cherry Point Refinery, USA
MISSION

- road tanker trucks

Mi ddle Arm
Option 10 Roberts Bank
- marine terminal and pipeline
STURGEON
BANK RICHMOND So uth
Arm Option 11 Point Roberts
- offshore mooring and pipeline

SURREY
Option 12 Iona Jetty
- offshore mooring and pipeline
5
DELTA
9 Option 13 North Arm
6 - offshore mooring and pipeline
8
CITY OF
Option 14 North Arm
LANGLEY - marine terminal and pipeline
LADNER

10
ROBERTS
BANK LANGLEY
BOUNDARY
DISTRICT
STRAIT OF BAY
GEORGIA 11 ABBOTSFORD

TSAWASSEN
WHITE
BRITISH COLUMBIA ROCK
WASHINGTON SUMAS
BLAINE
M

SEMIAHMOO
ar

POINT
in
e

ROBERTS
Ta
n ke
r/
Ba

LYNDEN
rg
e
De
liv
er

KEY TO LINE TYPES

y

BIRCH
Pipeline BIRCH BAY
Truck Route BAY

Railway
Marine Tanker/Barge 0 1.5 3 6 9 12
Kilometers

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

Regulatory Process
VAFFC voluntarily applied, and was successful, in having the project deemed reviewable
by the BC Environmental Assessment Office.
As part of this process, a consultation program is being conducted with the public,
First Nations and other stakeholders to seek input on the project.
In addition, the project will be reviewed for approval by several other regulatory
agencies and authorities, each with its own review process, including:
• Port Metro Vancouver Environmental Assessment Process
• Vancouver Airport Authority Development Permit and Facility Permit Processes
• Fraser River Estuary Management Program
• BC Oil & Gas Commission
• City of Richmond Development Permit Process
The project may also be reviewable under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

VAFFC: Who We Are

Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation (VAFFC) is a not-for-profit company
owned by a consortium of commercial airlines representing most of the domestic and
international carriers serving Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
VAFFC owns and operates fuel storage and distribution facilities at YVR. These facilities
are shared among the airlines, allowing them to avoid duplication and minimize costs.
Similar fuel facility corporations operate at all of the major international airports
across Canada.
The company has more than 20 years of experience in aviation fuel handling activities
at YVR.
VAFFC contracts the management, construction and operation of its facilities to
qualified organizations, and draws expertise from a network of experienced engineering
and environmental consultants specializing in aviation fuel infrastructure.

Contact Us
Email: info@vancouverairportfuel.ca
Phone: 604.638.7463
www.vancouverairportfuel.ca

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a
V a n c o u v e r A i r p o r t F u e l Fa c i l i t i e s C o r p o r at i o n
Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery Project

We Want Your Input

As the first stage of consultation, VAFFC is holding public information sessions in
February and March 2009 to provide an overview of the project. We want your input,
your insights and your questions regarding the proposed new fuel delivery system for
Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Further public consultation sessions will be held
later in the year to explain the proposed project in detail to the public, First Nations
and other stakeholders prior to submitting an application to the BC Environmental
Assessment Office.
As part of VAFFC’s project consultation, the public, First Nations and other stakeholders
are being asked to provide input on a variety of subjects, such as:
• Proposed pipeline route
• Marine transportation
• Fuel receiving facility
• Construction
• Safety and security
• Environmental impacts
• Fuel truck traffic
• Alternative delivery systems
• YVR’s future fuel demands
• Existing fuel system

Your Feedback
All the feedback we receive through information sessions, web, phone, fax and emails
will be recorded and summarized in a Consultation Summary Report, which will be
submitted to the BC Environmental Assessment Office. The report will also be posted on
the project website: www.vancouverairportfuel.ca

Timeline
  2009 2010 2011 2012

Pre-application consultation      

Work studies and environmental assessment application      

Government review and ongoing consultation      

Construction (subject to regulatory approval)      

In operation      

w w w. va n c o u v e r a i r p o r t f u e l . c a