Research on horizontal multi-step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experiments

ObjectiveGiven that most salt rock strata in China consist of thin-layered salt formations, conventional single-well and single-cavity construction technologies are no longer adequate for the efficient construction of large-size salt cavities. In this context, the application of horizontal multi-ste...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jiasong CHEN, Xuefeng BAI, Guijiu WANG, Lianbin ZHAO, Jun LU, Lilin FAN, Haosheng LIU, Luokun XIAO
Format: Article
Language:Chinese
Published: Editorial Office of Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation 2025-06-01
Series:You-qi chuyun
Subjects:
Online Access:https://yqcy.pipechina.com.cn/article/doi/10.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2025.06.008
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1839645792925646848
author Jiasong CHEN
Xuefeng BAI
Guijiu WANG
Lianbin ZHAO
Jun LU
Lilin FAN
Haosheng LIU
Luokun XIAO
author_facet Jiasong CHEN
Xuefeng BAI
Guijiu WANG
Lianbin ZHAO
Jun LU
Lilin FAN
Haosheng LIU
Luokun XIAO
author_sort Jiasong CHEN
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveGiven that most salt rock strata in China consist of thin-layered salt formations, conventional single-well and single-cavity construction technologies are no longer adequate for the efficient construction of large-size salt cavities. In this context, the application of horizontal multi-step cavity-building technology for salt cavern gas storage can enhance the construction of salt cavities with expanded volumes in salt rock strata of limited thickness. MethodsThis study explored the influence of key parameters on the final shapes of cavities created through the horizontal multi-step cavity-building approach and analyzed both the cavity shape and the construction process from an engineering perspective, thus presenting recommended values for these key parameters. A physical simulation experimental setup was designed to examine cavity expansion patterns during horizontal multi-step cavity construction. Subsequent experiments incorporated various cavity-building parameters to generate horizontal cavities of different shapes. Finally, 3D scanning technology was employed to create complete 3D cavity models based on the cavities obtained from the experiments through mirroring operations. ResultsThe following results were derived from analyzing these 3D cavity models corresponding to various cavity-building parameters. For cavities with equal volumes, variations in water injection flow rates had a significant influence on their height, length, and maximum width. Tubing withdrawal distances had a major impact on the shape of the cavity roofs, while their effect on the overall size of the cavities was relatively minor. Additionally, the air cushion used during cavity construction to protect the roofs resulted in “flat top” shapes, which not only affected the stability of the cavities but also increased the economic costs for cavity construction. ConclusionWater injection rates ranging from 160 m3/h to 240 m3/h are considered rational for horizontal multi-step cavity building. It is recommended to use small tubing withdrawal distances. Additionally, continuous injection of dissolution inhibitors during construction for cavity roof protection is not advised. The research results offer valuable references and guidance for shape design and process parameter optimization of cavities using the horizontal multi-step construction approach for salt cavern gas storage.
format Article
id doaj-art-00bd9c3c04e24c48bcc621fc7487f7f2
institution Matheson Library
issn 1000-8241
language zho
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Editorial Office of Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation
record_format Article
series You-qi chuyun
spelling doaj-art-00bd9c3c04e24c48bcc621fc7487f7f22025-07-01T08:57:44ZzhoEditorial Office of Oil & Gas Storage and TransportationYou-qi chuyun1000-82412025-06-0144668569210.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2025.06.008202406022Research on horizontal multi-step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experimentsJiasong CHEN0Xuefeng BAI1Guijiu WANG2Lianbin ZHAO3Jun LU4Lilin FAN5Haosheng LIU6Luokun XIAO7PipeChina Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.PipeChina Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.PipeChina Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.PipeChina Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.PipeChina Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.PipeChina Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.PipeChina Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.PipeChina Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.ObjectiveGiven that most salt rock strata in China consist of thin-layered salt formations, conventional single-well and single-cavity construction technologies are no longer adequate for the efficient construction of large-size salt cavities. In this context, the application of horizontal multi-step cavity-building technology for salt cavern gas storage can enhance the construction of salt cavities with expanded volumes in salt rock strata of limited thickness. MethodsThis study explored the influence of key parameters on the final shapes of cavities created through the horizontal multi-step cavity-building approach and analyzed both the cavity shape and the construction process from an engineering perspective, thus presenting recommended values for these key parameters. A physical simulation experimental setup was designed to examine cavity expansion patterns during horizontal multi-step cavity construction. Subsequent experiments incorporated various cavity-building parameters to generate horizontal cavities of different shapes. Finally, 3D scanning technology was employed to create complete 3D cavity models based on the cavities obtained from the experiments through mirroring operations. ResultsThe following results were derived from analyzing these 3D cavity models corresponding to various cavity-building parameters. For cavities with equal volumes, variations in water injection flow rates had a significant influence on their height, length, and maximum width. Tubing withdrawal distances had a major impact on the shape of the cavity roofs, while their effect on the overall size of the cavities was relatively minor. Additionally, the air cushion used during cavity construction to protect the roofs resulted in “flat top” shapes, which not only affected the stability of the cavities but also increased the economic costs for cavity construction. ConclusionWater injection rates ranging from 160 m3/h to 240 m3/h are considered rational for horizontal multi-step cavity building. It is recommended to use small tubing withdrawal distances. Additionally, continuous injection of dissolution inhibitors during construction for cavity roof protection is not advised. The research results offer valuable references and guidance for shape design and process parameter optimization of cavities using the horizontal multi-step construction approach for salt cavern gas storage.https://yqcy.pipechina.com.cn/article/doi/10.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2025.06.008gas storagelayered salt rockhorizontal multi-step construction approachcavity building parameterscavity expansion patterns3d cavity models
spellingShingle Jiasong CHEN
Xuefeng BAI
Guijiu WANG
Lianbin ZHAO
Jun LU
Lilin FAN
Haosheng LIU
Luokun XIAO
Research on horizontal multi-step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experiments
You-qi chuyun
gas storage
layered salt rock
horizontal multi-step construction approach
cavity building parameters
cavity expansion patterns
3d cavity models
title Research on horizontal multi-step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experiments
title_full Research on horizontal multi-step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experiments
title_fullStr Research on horizontal multi-step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experiments
title_full_unstemmed Research on horizontal multi-step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experiments
title_short Research on horizontal multi-step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experiments
title_sort research on horizontal multi step cavity construction for salt cavern gas storage based on experiments
topic gas storage
layered salt rock
horizontal multi-step construction approach
cavity building parameters
cavity expansion patterns
3d cavity models
url https://yqcy.pipechina.com.cn/article/doi/10.6047/j.issn.1000-8241.2025.06.008
work_keys_str_mv AT jiasongchen researchonhorizontalmultistepcavityconstructionforsaltcaverngasstoragebasedonexperiments
AT xuefengbai researchonhorizontalmultistepcavityconstructionforsaltcaverngasstoragebasedonexperiments
AT guijiuwang researchonhorizontalmultistepcavityconstructionforsaltcaverngasstoragebasedonexperiments
AT lianbinzhao researchonhorizontalmultistepcavityconstructionforsaltcaverngasstoragebasedonexperiments
AT junlu researchonhorizontalmultistepcavityconstructionforsaltcaverngasstoragebasedonexperiments
AT lilinfan researchonhorizontalmultistepcavityconstructionforsaltcaverngasstoragebasedonexperiments
AT haoshengliu researchonhorizontalmultistepcavityconstructionforsaltcaverngasstoragebasedonexperiments
AT luokunxiao researchonhorizontalmultistepcavityconstructionforsaltcaverngasstoragebasedonexperiments