1. Introduction and Purpose
This Recommended Practice (RP) outlines functional recommendations for salt cavern facilities specifically designed for natural gas storage. It consolidates knowledge and experience from geologists, engineers, and other professionals within the petroleum and gas storage sectors to establish comprehensive design guidelines that prioritize public safety.
2. Anvendelsesområde
This RP addresses the cavern well system, encompassing the wellhead, wellbore, and the cavern itself, from the emergency shutdown (ESD) valve down to the cavern. It also covers facilities that significantly impact the safety and integrity of the cavern system. This document may be applied to existing facilities at the discretion of the user.
Ekskluderinger: This RP does ikke gælder for:
- Caverns used for the storage of liquid or liquefied petroleum products.
- Caverns used for brine production or waste disposal.
- Mechanically mined caverns.
- Depleted hydrocarbon or aquifer underground gas storage systems.
3. Design Guidelines and Setup
The design phase emphasizes the critical need for in-depth, site-specific geomechanical assessments. This is crucial due to the inherent diversity of subsurface geological conditions, with the primary objective of ensuring long-term facility integrity and safety.
3.1 Geomechanical Assessments
Conduct thorough evaluations of geological formations to understand their stability, stress conditions, and suitability for cavern development. This includes analyzing rock mechanics, hydrology, and potential seismic activity.
3.2 Cavern Well Design and Drilling
Design wellbores to withstand operational pressures and geological stresses. Drilling procedures must adhere to best practices to ensure well integrity and prevent environmental impact. Considerations include casing design, cementing, and wellhead equipment selection.
4. Operating Procedures and Solution Mining
This section details the techniques and operational aspects of solution mining and subsequent natural gas storage.
4.1 Solution Mining Techniques
Implement controlled dissolution processes to create the salt cavern. This involves injecting fresh water and extracting brine, carefully managing cavern shape and volume to meet storage requirements.
4.2 Operational Practices
Establish protocols for gas injection and withdrawal, pressure management, and inventory control. All operations must comply with safety standards and environmental regulations.
5. Overvågning og vedligeholdelse
Continuous monitoring and regular maintenance are essential for ensuring the long-term integrity and safe operation of salt caverns.
5.1 Monitoring Practices
Implement systems for monitoring cavern pressure, temperature, and volume. Geomechanical monitoring, including subsidence and microseismic activity, should be conducted regularly to detect any potential issues early.
5.2 Maintenance Practices
Develop and adhere to a comprehensive maintenance schedule for all components of the cavern well system, including wellheads, valves, and associated surface facilities. This includes routine inspections, repairs, and preventative measures.
6. Addressing Deviations and Ensuring Integrity
In the event of operational anomalies or monitoring data indicating potential issues, established procedures for assessment and corrective action must be followed. This includes re-evaluating geomechanical models and adjusting operational parameters to maintain cavern integrity and safety.
7. Specifikationer
- Forlægger: API
- Udgivelsesdato: 1. januar 2015
- Udgave: Første Udgave
- Sprog: engelsk
- Udskriftslængde: 87 sider
- ASIN: B010YCFH6K
8. Vigtige overvejelser
This document serves as a technical reference for the development and operation of solution-mined salt caverns. It is not intended to represent or reflect any Federal, State, or local regulatory requirement. Depending on the project's location and nature, the recommended practices herein may conflict with some regulatory requirements. In such cases, the regulatory requirement supersedes this recommended practice unless an appropriate waiver or variance is granted from the issuing agency. A thorough review of applicable Federal, State, and local rules and regulations is mandatory prior to the design of solution-mined natural gas storage caverns.
9. Support og yderligere information
For inquiries regarding this Recommended Practice or for additional support, please contact the American Petroleum Institute (API) directly. Information on purchasing additional copies or related publications can be found on the official API webwebsted.
10. Ansvarsfraskrivelse
This Recommended Practice provides guidelines and best practices based on industry knowledge. It does not constitute a warranty or guarantee of specific outcomes, performance, or compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Users are responsible for ensuring their operations meet all relevant standards and legal requirements.
