Leaching design considerations for development of large crude oil storage cavities

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983 · In Situ; (United States)

OSTI ID:6158397

Saberian, A

Utilization of large salt cavities is the most economical way of storing large volumes of crude oil. High circulation rates are required for development of large cavities in the shortest time. In designing leaching procedures for these cavities, some parameters must receive special consideration. Such leaching design considerations are the subject of this paper. Operational leaching during the storage life span of a cavity must be predetermined and properly incorporated into the cavity design. The development of a conical roof, which is thought to enhance the stability of the cavity, should be considered in the leach/fill type operations. Injection tubing plug-up associated with accumulation of insolubles at cavity bottom can be effectively dealt with by maintaing continuous, high circulation rates. Use of a proven numerical model is essential for optimizing the leaching procedure. Multi-well leaching, which offers better leaching efficiency conceptually, is found to be inadequate in practice. The leaching design for the first 3-well cavity group had to be modified to avoid the formation of a hazardous, hanging salt spire. Among other considerations for a large cavity is the extended time lag between termination of circulation and reaching a full saturation state in cavity brine.

• Research Organization: A. Saberian and Assoc., Austin, Texas
• OSTI ID: 6158397
• Journal Information: In Situ; (United States), Journal Name: In Situ; (United States) Vol. 4; ISSN ISOMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
024000* -- Petroleum-- Storage-- (-1989)
CAVITIES
CONTROL
DESIGN
DISSOLUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENGINEERING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
LEACHING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OPTIMIZATION
PETROLEUM
RESERVOIR ENGINEERING
ROOFS
SALT CAVERNS
SCALE CONTROL
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STORAGE
UNDERGROUND STORAGE