In the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, constructing salt cavern gas storage is an urgent need to enhance the seasonal peak-shaving capacity of natural gas. The Ningjin Saltfield in this region has a burial depth of nearly 3000 m, presenting significant challenges of high temperature and high pressure for salt cavern construction. To investigate the feasibility of constructing salt caverns in ultra-deep formations and validate the applicability of current cavity-building technologies under such conditions, a field cavern construction test was conducted in Ningjin. During the test, dynamic monitoring of cavern development was performed using surface brine injection-production data, and multiple sonar detection tests were carried out to obtain the actual shape and volume of the cavern. The results show that in ultra-deep formations cavern construction, volume loss due to cavern creep cannot be ignored. The total dissolved salt volume was about 6150 m3, while the net cavern volume formed was 3480 m3, yielding a comprehensive cavern formation rate of 57%. Of the volume loss, 2390 m3 (39%) was attributed to cavern creep, while only 270 m3 (4%) resulted from the accumulation and swelling of insoluble substances. The test demonstrates that the single-well single-cavern method is fully feasible for constructing water-soluble caverns in ultra-deep salt layers, enabling well-shaped caverns. However, construction techniques must be optimized and the cavern-building process accelerated to suppress creep-induced shrinkage. The findings provide scientific guidance and empirical support for the construction and long-term stable operation of ultra-deep salt cavern gas storage.Highlights<UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> A field cavern construction test was conducted in ultra-deep salt formations at nearly 3000 m depth. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Single-well normal circulation method proved feasible for ultra-deep salt cavern construction, forming well-shaped salt caverns. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Creep caused 39% volume loss, dominating shrinkage in ultra-deep cavern construction. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Surface data-based monitoring accurately predicts cavern volume, consistent with sonar detection. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList>

Challenges and Feasibility Verification of Salt Cavern Gas Storage Construction in Ultra-deep Formations: Insights from a Field Experiment in China

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年7月25日

查看全文

Zhikai Dong,
Yinping Li,
Tiantian Chen,
Bingzhi Liu,
Ziheng Wang,
Yuanxi Liu,
Xilin Shi,
Haoran Li,
Weigang Zhao,
Zhiyong Song,
Shuantong Shangguan

摘要

In the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, constructing salt cavern gas storage is an urgent need to enhance the seasonal peak-shaving capacity of natural gas. The Ningjin Saltfield in this region has a burial depth of nearly 3000 m, presenting significant challenges of high temperature and high pressure for salt cavern construction. To investigate the feasibility of constructing salt caverns in ultra-deep formations and validate the applicability of current cavity-building technologies under such conditions, a field cavern construction test was conducted in Ningjin. During the test, dynamic monitoring of cavern development was performed using surface brine injection-production data, and multiple sonar detection tests were carried out to obtain the actual shape and volume of the cavern. The results show that in ultra-deep formations cavern construction, volume loss due to cavern creep cannot be ignored. The total dissolved salt volume was about 6150 m³, while the net cavern volume formed was 3480 m³, yielding a comprehensive cavern formation rate of 57%. Of the volume loss, 2390 m³ (39%) was attributed to cavern creep, while only 270 m³ (4%) resulted from the accumulation and swelling of insoluble substances. The test demonstrates that the single-well single-cavern method is fully feasible for constructing water-soluble caverns in ultra-deep salt layers, enabling well-shaped caverns. However, construction techniques must be optimized and the cavern-building process accelerated to suppress creep-induced shrinkage. The findings provide scientific guidance and empirical support for the construction and long-term stable operation of ultra-deep salt cavern gas storage.

Highlights

A field cavern construction test was conducted in ultra-deep salt formations at nearly 3000 m depth.

Single-well normal circulation method proved feasible for ultra-deep salt cavern construction, forming well-shaped salt caverns.

Creep caused 39% volume loss, dominating shrinkage in ultra-deep cavern construction.

Surface data-based monitoring accurately predicts cavern volume, consistent with sonar detection.