Spindletop salt-cavern points way for future natural-gas storage

Journal Article · Mon Sep 12 00:00:00 EDT 1994 · Oil and Gas Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:7198099

Shotts, S A; Neal, J R; Solis, R J ^[1]; Oldham, C ^[2]

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1. Southwestern Gas Pipeline Inc., The Woodlands, TX (United States)
2. Centana Intrastate Pipeline Co., Beaumont, TX (United States)

Spindletop underground natural-gas storage complex began operating in 1993, providing 1.7 bcf of working-gas capacity in its first cavern. The cavern and related facilities exemplify the importance and advantages of natural-gas storage in leached salt caverns. Development of a second cavern, along with continued leaching of the initial cavern, target 5 bcf of available working-gas capacity in both caverns by the end of this year. The facilities that currently make up the Spindletop complex include two salt dome gas-storage wells and a 24,000-hp compression and dehydration facility owned by Sabine Gas; two salt dome gas-storage wells and a 15,900-hp compression and dehydration facility owned by Centana; a 7,000-hp leaching plant; and three jointly owned brine-disposal wells. The paper discusses the development of the storage facility, design goals, leaching plant and wells, piping and compressors, dehydration and heaters, control systems, safety and monitoring, construction, first years operation, and customer base.

• OSTI ID: 7198099
• Journal Information: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Oil and Gas Journal; (United States) Vol. 92:37; ISSN OIGJAV; ISSN 0030-1388
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
032000* -- Natural Gas-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
CAVITIES
DESIGN
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANTS
NORTH AMERICA
OWNERSHIP
PERFORMANCE
SALT CAVERNS
STORAGE
STORAGE FACILITIES
TEXAS
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
USA