Seawater Intrusion Risk and Prevention Technology of Coastal and Large-Span Underground Oil Storage Cavern

Shengquan He, Dazhao Song (), Lianzhi Yang, Xiaomeng Miao, Jiuzheng Liang, Xueqiu He, Biao Cao, Yingjie Zhao, Tuo Chen, Wei Zhong and Taoping Zhong
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Shengquan He: Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mine, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Dazhao Song: Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mine, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Lianzhi Yang: Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mine, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Xiaomeng Miao: Sinochem Energy Logistics Co., Ltd., Beijing 100031, China
Jiuzheng Liang: China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd., Langfang 065000, China
Xueqiu He: Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mine, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Biao Cao: Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mine, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Yingjie Zhao: Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mine, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Tuo Chen: Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0E8, Canada
Wei Zhong: China Petroleum Pipeline Engineering Co., Ltd., Langfang 065000, China
Taoping Zhong: Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mine, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2022, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-27

Abstract: The presence of a high concentration of Cl − in saltwater will erode the structure and facilities, reducing the stability and service life of the underground oil storage cavern. In order to reduce the risk of seawater intrusion, this paper studies the risk and prevention technology of seawater intrusion based on a case study of a coastal and large-span underground oil storage cavern. A refined three-dimensional hydrogeological model that comprehensively considers permeability coefficient partitions, faults, and fractured zones are constructed. The seepage fields and seawater intrusion risks of the reservoir site in its natural state, during construction, and during operation are examined, respectively. The study quantifies the water inflow and optimizes the seawater intrusion prevention technology. The results indicate that there is no risk of seawater incursion into the cavern under natural conditions. The water inflows after excavating the top, middle, and bottom sections of the main cavern are predicted to be 6797 m 3 /day, 6895 m 3 /day, and 6767 m 3 /day, respectively. During the excavation period, the water supply from the water curtain system is lower than the water inflow of the cavern, providing the maximum water curtain injection of 6039 m 3 /day. The water level in the reservoir area decreased obviously in the excavation period, but the water flow direction is from the cavern to the sea. Additionally, the concentration of Cl − in the cavern area is less than 7 mol/m 3 ; hereby, there are no seawater intrusion risks. When only the horizontal water curtain system is deployed, seawater intrusion occurs after 18 years of cavern operation. The concentration of Cl − in the southeast of the cavern group exceeds 50 mol/m 3 in 50 years, reaching moderate corrosion and serious seawater intrusion. In addition to the horizontal curtain above the cavern, a vertical water curtain system could be added on the southeast side, with a borehole spacing of 10 m and extending to 30 m below the cavern group. This scheme can effectively reduce seawater intrusion risk and extend the service life of the cavern. The findings of this research can be applied as guidelines for underground oil storage caverns in coastal areas to tackle seawater intrusion problems.

Keywords: cavern group; seepage field; solute transport field; water inflow; water curtain system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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