Multiphase Flow and Cavern Abandonment in Salt

Ehgartner, Brian ; Tidwell, Vince

National Petroleum Technology Program (U.S.)

关键词: Natural Gas;    Plugging;    Abandoned Wells;    Underground Storage;    Gas Saturation;   

DOI  :  10.2172/774489
RP-ID  :  DOE/FEW 8242-1
RP-ID  :  NONE
RP-ID  :  774489

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

This report will explore the hypothesis that an underground cavity in gassy salt will eventually be gas filled as is observed on a small scale in some naturally occurring salt inclusions. First, a summary is presented on what is known about gas occurrences, flow mechanisms, and cavern behavior after abandonment. Then, background information is synthesized into theory on how gas can fill a cavern and simultaneously displace cavern fluids into the surrounding salt. Lastly, two-phase (gas and brine) flow visualization experiments are presented that demonstrate some of the associated flow mechanisms and support the theory and hypothesis that a cavity in salt can become gas filled after plugging and abandonment