L51456 Design Guidelines for Mined Cavern Storage of Natural Gas

Mined cavern storage of natural gas is a technical and economically feasible alternative to surface storage. Favorable geologic environments exist in many locations, and the risk of cost overruns or unproductive expense can be minimized through a stepwise planning and design procedure. Design and construction techniques for underground structures are well precedented with numerous successful cavern projects completed for powerhouses, military purposes, and mines. A mined cavern storage system has been operating in an abandoned coal mine in Leyden, Colorado, for over 20 years, with another planned by a consortium of gas companies for the New York City area. We look forward to the day when mined cavern storage is recognized as a viable option during the planning of a gas storage system.

The manual begins with general geologic siting criteria, and proceeds to the various types of cavern storage systems, and then to a discussion of environmental and permitting requirements of the facility. Finally, the manual guides the reader through the stages of design and construction and presents the fundamentals of underground engineering.