Analysis of brine disposal in the Gulf of Mexico. III. Capline sector

Technical Report · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:5232266

In implementing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SRP) Program, the Federal Energy Administration (FEA) proposes to use storage caverns leached out of salt domes in the Capline Sector at Weeks Island and Chacahoula along the Louisiana Coast. Discharge into the Gulf of Mexico is an alternative under consideration for disposal of the saturated brine to be produced as additional caverns are solution-mined. This report examines the potential environmental impact of this brine disposal alternative. Included is an extensive summary of physiographic, meteorological, and oceanographic conditions in the Capline Sector; a comprehensive review of ecological conditions in the area; analysis of the dispersion of salt brine to be discharged at several locations offshore, under different environmental conditions and for selected diffuser designs; general criteria for a brine diffuser for each of the two sites under consideration; and the potential impact of brine due to osmotic stress.

• Research Organization: Federal Energy Administration, Washington, D.C. (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5232266
• Report Number(s): PB-271292
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020900 -- Petroleum-- Environmental Aspects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
294002 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Petroleum
520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
530200 -- Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies-- Assessment of Energy Technologies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BRINES
CARIBBEAN SEA
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GULF OF MEXICO
MANAGEMENT
MINING
PETROLEUM
RESERVES
SALT DEPOSITS
SEAS
SOLUTION MINING
STORAGE
STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE
SURFACE WATERS
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT