Storage of natural gas

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7348420

Grow, Jr, G C

Natural gas provides about one-third of our energy. The primary method of storing it is in underground reservoirs, most of which are partially depleted gas pools. Storage is needed to permit high load factor operation of gas transmission lines and provide additional volumes near major markets during winter months. Geologically favorable conditions are necessary in establishing a storage facility. It was first tried in Welland, Ontario in 1915. There are now 360 storages located in 26 states with a total capacity of nearly 6.3 trillion cubic feet. Availability of storage has been a major factor in the growth of the gas industry during the past 2/sup 1///sub 2/ decades. In order to maintain proper deliverability rates a portion of the gas in a reservoir, called ''cushion gas'', remains permanently in the pool as part of capital investment. The ''working gas'' is that which is injected and withdrawn seasonally--injected during the summer months of low demand (less than pipeline capacity) and withdrawn during the winter months of high demand (greater than pipeline capacity). Natural gas can also be stored by converting it to a liquid at -260/sup 0/F, thus reducing its volume /sup 1///sub 600/, and storing it in specially constructed vessels. It can be regasified as needed to meet peak hour demands. There are now 43 major LNG facilities in U.S. with total storage capacity of 59 billion cubic feet in vapor state. Storage is a very important segment of the gas industry and capacity has been growing at the rate of 6 to 8 percent annually.

• Research Organization: Consulting Geologist, Westfield, NJ
• OSTI ID: 7348420
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Am. Chem. Soc., Div. Fuel Chem., Prepr.; (United States) Journal Volume: 19:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
035000* -- Natural Gas-- Storage-- (1989-)
ACIDIZATION
COMMINUTION
ENERGY DEMAND
ENERGY SOURCES
EXPLOSIVE FRACTURING
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
LEGAL ASPECTS
LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MANAGEMENT
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
PIPELINES
STORAGE
VARIATIONS
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS