The picture shows the gas lifting operation at the construction site. (Photo provided by CNCEC)

Xiangyang Daily (Zhu Ke, the Journalist, and Guo Zhikuan and Li Dongzhou, the Correspondents) On March 13, local time, a critical construction milestone was  achieved under rainy conditions in Botum Sakor County, Kaoh Kong Province, Cambodia. The 200,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) low-temperature storage tank—constructed by China National Chemical Engineering Sixth Construction Co., Ltd. (referred to as “CNCEC”)—completed its gas lifting operation. This marks Cambodia’s first-ever LNG storage tank, representing a significant achievement in China–Cambodia energy cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and demonstrating the successful overseas application of China’s indigenous large-scale cryogenic tank construction technology.

The air-raising operation is one of the most technically complex and safety-critical procedures in LNG storage tank construction and is crucial to the project’s success. At 7:48 a.m., the CNCEC team officially began the operation. Four fans operated simultaneously to provide continuous, stable lifting power for the 850-ton steel dome roof. Under close monitoring, the dome rose steadily and remained stable throughout the process, reaching its designated position in just four hours, 17 days ahead of schedule.

The project is a key energy infrastructure initiative in Cambodia and includes the construction of a 2×450 MW gas-turbine combined-cycle power plant. The 200,000-cubic-meter LNG storage tank serves as the power plant’s “energy reservoir.” Once completed, it will fill the gap in Cambodia’s LNG storage capacity and significantly enhance Cambodia’s clean energy supply. After the power plant is fully operational, it will be able to meet about 20 percent of Cambodia’s electricity demand, providing strong support for Cambodia’s economic and social development. The CNCEC team will proceed with inner tank construction, hydrostatic testing, and other follow-up work in an orderly manner to ensure the project is completed and put into operation as soon as possible.