Underground Storage of Oil and Gas
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 110, Issue 3
Abstract
The environmental and security advantages of underground storage of oil and gas are well documented. In many cases, underground storage methods such as storage in salt domes, abandoned mines, and mined rock caverns have proven to be cost effective when compared to storage in steel tanks constructed for that purpose on the surface. In good rock conditions, underground storage of large quantities of hydrocarbon products is normally less costly—up to 50–70% of the surface alternative. Under fair or weak rock conditions, economic comparisons between surface tanks and underground caverns must be evaluated on a case to case basis. The key to successful underground storage is enactment of a realistic geotechnical approach. In addition to construction cost, storage of petroleum products underground has operational advantages over similar storage above ground. These advantages include lower maintenance costs, less fire hazards, less land requirements, and a more even storage temperature.
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References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 110 • Issue 3 • December 1984
Pages: 181 - 190
Copyright
Copyright © 1984 ASCE.
History
Published online: Dec 1, 1984
Published in print: Dec 1984
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