Dubai's Khazzans as they used to be (and still are)!

Khazzan means "To Store" in Arabic. Khazzan was the name given to the Tanks designed and built in late 1960s to store Dubai's Oil. Dubai's Khazzans are unique in that they store Dubai's Oil under the Sea.

Madinat Al Jumeirah is located on the Construction Site for the three Khazzans.

Area became known as "Chicago Beach" when Chicago Bridge and Iron Company established a Construction Yard for the Khazzans on Dubai's Beach.
Chicago Bridge and Iron Company's Construction Crane became a Dubai Landmark and a reference point. Area soon became known as Chicago Beach.

Khazzans were built on the beach but near to the waterline. Photo shows start of construction of the first two Khazzans.

Khazzan Construction Site was located at the end of Jumeirah Beach Road.
Photo shows the area long before the Burj Al Arab and Madinat Al Jumeirah were built.
In the distance is a Water Tank Tower located opposite where the Burj Al Arab is built today.

Photo shows the Khazzans under construction.

Each Khazzan measurements are:
83 metres diameter at the base
73 meters high
14,250 metric tonnes
Holds 500,000 barrels of Oil

Top of the Khazzan is put into place.

This photo shows the size of the crane.
The crane was around 125 metres high - equal to a 30 storey building.
The crane could be seen from many places in Dubai

Dredging works have started in the shadow of the Khazzan.
Work is in progress to clear sand and build a Flotation Pool.

Ludwig Herjz stand in front of the completed Khazzan No 1.
Ludwig worked on the dredging operation for the Khazzans and provided most of the photos in this section.

Khazzans were built on dry land.
After completion the Khazzans were fitted with flotation collars.
A dam was built between the Khazzan and the sea.
Area next to the Khazzan was dug out filled with water to form a Flotation Pool.
The Khazzan was floated in this pool.
A channel was dredged from the sea to the Construction Site.
Finally the dam was removed between the channel and the Flotation Pool.
The Khazzan could then be towed from the beach and out to sea.

Steel Sheet Piling installed to support the dredged channel walls.

Dredging operation nearing the beach.

Dredger is clearing a channel from the sea to the Construction Site.

Pipes pumping water into the Flotation Pool

The first two Khazzans are still on dry land but dredging operations prepare for floating the Khazzans.

Location of the Khazzans, the Flotation Pool and the channel can be seen in this photo.

Location of the Khazzans, the Flotation Pool and the channel can be seen in this photo.

Here the Dredger is clearing the sand from around the Khazzan.

Cranes were used to remove the dam to connect the dredged channel to the Floatation Pool and the Khazzans.

Khazzan afloat and ready for towing.

Khazzan floating in the Floatation Pool.

Here the Khazzan leaves the Floatation Pool and is towed out to sea.

The Khazzan is floating and ready for towing out to Fateh Oilfield.

Khazzan at sea and under tow.

Khazzan at sea and under tow.

Khazzan at sea and under tow by tow ocean going tugs.

Khazzans were tilted to allow air to escape from inside.
As air escaped so sea water filled the Khazzan.
The Khazzan then began to sink to the ocean floor.

Khazzans were tilted to allow air to escape from inside.
As air escaped so sea water filled the Khazzan.
The Khazzan then began to sink to the ocean floor.

Khazzans were tilted to allow air to escape from inside.
As air escaped so sea water filled the Khazzan.
The Khazzan then began to sink to the ocean floor.

This is the only part of the Khazzan that can be seen today.

Fateh Oil Field built around the three Khazzans with the oil stored under the sea.

Sheikh Rashid attended the launch of the Khazzans.

In Old Dubai sometimes the Dignatories were more "at risk" than the Workers!
Sheikh Rashid ventures out to cut the final mooring line and launch the Khazzan.

The Khanjar used by Sheikh Rashid to cut the final mooring rope.

British Army based in Sharjah provided the musical accompaniment for the ceremony.

British Army based in Sharjah provided the musical accompaniment for the ceremony.

Sheikh Rashid with Hal Nabors, the then-president of Dubai Petroleum Company, a CONOCO subsidiary.

Sheikh Mohammed attended the opening ceremony.

Sheikh Rashid with dignatories at the opening ceremony for Khazzan No 1