Management of a complex cavern storage facility for natural gas
The Epe cavern storage facility operated by Ruhrgas AG has developed into one of the largest gas cavern storage facilities in the world. Currently, there are 32 caverns and 18 more are planned in the future. Working gas volume will increase from approximately 1.5 {times} 10{sup 9} to 2 {times} 10{sup 9} m{sup 3}. The stratified salt deposit containing the caverns has a surface area of approximately 7 km{sup 2} and is 250 m thick at the edge and 400 m thick in the center. Caverns are leached by a company that uses the recovered brine in the chlorine industry. Cavern dimensions are determined before leaching. The behavior of each cavern, as well as the thermodynamic properties of natural gas must be considered in cavern management. The full-length paper presents the components of a complex management system covering the design, construction, and operation of the Epe gas-storage caverns.
- OSTI ID:
- 616301
- Journal Information:
- JPT, Journal of Petroleum Technology, Journal Name: JPT, Journal of Petroleum Technology Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 50; ISSN 0149-2136; ISSN JPTJAM
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Avoca, New York Salt Cavern Gas Storage Facility
Feasibility evaluation alternatives for management of Strategic Petroleum Reserve Bayou Choctaw Caverns 15, 17 and 20