Feasibility study of large volume gas storage in rock salt caverns by numerical method

Finite Element analyses are performed to study the feasibility of large volume gas storage caverns in rock salt created by leaching. A number of operation phases have been studied including leaching, gas storage and an accidental gas blowout. The computing results have confirmed the general stability of the cavern and predicated 7.5% volumetric convergence in 30 years service. Numerical problems are encountered and corresponding solutions are also addressed.