Long-term performance predictions for strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) salt caverns

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:6389405

Preece, D S; Foley, J T

A finite element computer program was used to predict creep closure of oil storage caverns in two salt domes in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. These caverns are part of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) Program which is administered by the US Department of Energy (DOE). The resulting stresses and displacements predicted by the finite element program were post-processed to obtain: (1) a measure of the structural integrity of each cavern; and (2) predictions of well head pressure increase and volume change due to creep closure. The caverns were determined to be structurally stable through the use of a fracture function which is dependent on mean stress and creep strain. The finite element predictions of pressure increase and volume change were compared to field measurements from caverns presently in use. Finite element predictions were found to be below available measured field data. This is partially due to the fact that the field data include the pressure increase from fluid thermal expansion as well as that from creep closure.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6389405
• Report Number(s): SAND-83-2343; ON: DE85005323
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
024000* -- Petroleum-- Storage-- (-1989)
42 ENGINEERING
420205 -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
CAVITIES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DISSOLUTION
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
LEACHING
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PERFORMANCE
RESERVES
RESOURCES
SALT CAVERNS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SIMULATION
STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS