Construction & operation characteristics of salt cavern underground gas storages

Underground gas storage(UGS)is playing an irreplaceable role in peak shaving and gas supply guarantee. Salt cavern UGS is a kind of cavern-type storage and its construction is characterized by long construction period, high investment and complex engineering technology, but it doesn't need ramp up time and it can be put into production while being constructed. In addition, its ratio of cushion gas is lower and it can be recovered completely. Its operation is characterized by great gas production capacity, flexible gas injection and production, and low coefficient of gas losses. Salt cavern UGSs can not only satisfy the conventional demand of seasonal peak shaving, but also the demand of daily, hourly and emergency peak shaving. In this paper, the construction and operation data of salt cavern UGSs at home and abroad were analyzed, and the important role of Jintan Underground Gas Storage in the actual operation was described. Then, some thoughts on the function orientation of salt cavern UGSs were put forward. The research results provide a reference for the further optimization and reasonable development of salt cavern UGSs.