초록 ▼

The invention provides caverns and methods for producing caverns in bedded salt deposits for the storage of materials that are not solvents for salt. The contemplated salt deposits are of the bedded, non-domed variety, more particularly salt found in layered formations that are sufficiently thick to

The invention provides caverns and methods for producing caverns in bedded salt deposits for the storage of materials that are not solvents for salt. The contemplated salt deposits are of the bedded, non-domed variety, more particularly salt found in layered formations that are sufficiently thick to enable the production of commercially usefully sized caverns completely encompassed by walls of salt of the formation. In a preferred method, a first bore hole is drilled into the salt formation and a cavity for receiving insolubles is leached from the salt formation. Thereafter, at a predetermined distance away from the first bore hole, a second bore hole is drilled towards the salt formation. As this drill approaches the salt, the drill assumes a slant approach and enters the salt and drills through it in a horizontal direction until it intersects the cavity for receiving insolubles. This produces a substantially horizontal conduit from which solvent is controlledly supplied to the surrounding salt formation, leaching the salt and producing a concentrated brine which is removed through the first bore hole. Insolubles are collected in the cavity for receiving insolubles. By controlledly supplying solvent, a horizontal cavern is produced with two bore holes extending therefrom.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of producing a storage cavern for gaseous material in a naturally-occurring underground salt formation, the method comprising: introducing a perforated pipe string, in a substantially horizontal plane, into the salt formation; supplying solvent, at controlled rates, through holes of predete

A method of producing a storage cavern for gaseous material in a naturally-occurring underground salt formation, the method comprising: introducing a perforated pipe string, in a substantially horizontal plane, into the salt formation; supplying solvent, at controlled rates, through holes of predetermined size at predetermined spacings in said pipe string; and leaching salt from the salt formation around the pipe string to produce a cavity extending into the salt formation, said cavity substantially completely surrounded by walls comprising formations of salt.