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Multiphase Flow and Cavern Abandonment in Salt

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/774489· OSTI ID:774489

This report will explore the hypothesis that an underground cavity in gassy salt will eventually be gas filled as is observed on a small scale in some naturally occurring salt inclusions. First, a summary is presented on what is known about gas occurrences, flow mechanisms, and cavern behavior after abandonment. Then, background information is synthesized into theory on how gas can fill a cavern and simultaneously displace cavern fluids into the surrounding salt. Lastly, two-phase (gas and brine) flow visualization experiments are presented that demonstrate some of the associated flow mechanisms and support the theory and hypothesis that a cavity in salt can become gas filled after plugging and abandonment

Research Organization:
National Petroleum Technology Office, Tulsa, OK (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE) (US)
OSTI ID:
774489
Report Number(s):
DOE/FEW 8242-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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