1、Recommended Practice on the Operation of Solution-Mined Underground Storage FacilitiesAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 1115FIRST EDITION, SEPTEMBER 1994REAFFIRMED, OCTOBER 2012Recommended Practice on the Operation of Solution-Mined Underground Storage FacilitiesManufacturing, Distribution and Marketing Depa
2、rtmentAPI RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 1115FIRST EDITION, SEPTEMBER 1994REAFFIRMED, OCTOBER 2012SPECIAL NOTES1. API PUBLICATIONS NECESSARILY ADDRESS PROBLEMS OF A GENERALNATURE. WITH RESPECT TO PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES, LOCAL, STATE,AND FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS SHOULD BE REVIEWED.2. API IS NOT UNDERTAKI
3、NG TO MEET THE DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS, MANU-FACTURERS, OR SUPPLIERS TO WARN OR PROPERLY TRAIN AND EQUIPTHEIR EMPLOYEES, AND OTHERS EXPOSED, CONCERNING HEALTH ANDSAFETY RISKS AND PRECAUTIONS, NOR UNDERTAKING THEIR OBLIGATIONSUNDER LOCAL, STATE, OR FEDERAL LAWS.3. INFORMATION CONCERNING SAFETY AND HEALTH
4、 RISKS AND PROPERPRECAUTIONS WITH RESPECT TO PARTICULAR MATERIALS AND CONDI-TIONS SHOULD BE OBTAINED FROM THE EMPLOYER, THE MANUFACTUREROR SUPPLIER OF THAT MATERIAL, OR THE MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET.4. NOTHING CONTAINED IN ANY API PUBLICATION IS TO BE CONSTRUED ASGRANTING ANY RIGHT, BY IMPLICATION
5、OR OTHERWISE, FOR THE MANU-FACTURE, SALE, OR USE OF ANY METHOD, APPARATUS, OR PRODUCTCOVERED BY LETTERS PATENT, NEITHER SHOULD ANYTHING CONTAINEDIN THE PUBLICATION BE CONSTRUED AS INSURING ANYONE AGAINSTLIABILITY FOR INFRINGEMENT OF LETTERS PATENT.5. GENERALLY, API STANDARDS ARE REVIEWED AND REVISED
6、, REAF-FIRMED, OR WITHDRAWN AT LEAST EVERY FIVE YEARS. SOMETIMES A ONE-TIME EXTENSION OF UP TO TWO YEARS WILL BE ADDED TO THIS REVIEWCYCLE. THIS PUBLICATION WILL NO LONGER BE IN EFFECT FIVE YEARSAFTER ITS PUBLICATION DATE AS AN OPERATIVE API STANDARD, ORWHERE AN EXTENSION HAS BEEN GRANTED, UPON REPU
7、BLICATION.STATUS OF THE PUBLICATION CAN BE ASCERTAINED FROM THE APIAUTHORING DEPARTMENT TELEPHONE (202) 682-8000. A CATALOG OF APIPUBLICATIONS AND MATERIALS IS PUBLISHED ANNUALLY AND UPDATEDQUARTERLY BY API, 1220 L STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, DC 20005.Copyright 1994 American Petroleum InstituteiiiFORE
8、WORDThis standard was prepared under the auspices of the API General Committee onPipelines and provides basic guidance on the operation of solution-mined undergroundhydrocarbon liquid or liquefied gas storage facilities.API publications may be used by anyone desiring to do so. Every effort has been
9、madeby the Institute to assure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in them; however,the Institute makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee in connection with this publi-cation and hereby expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for loss or damageresulting from its us
10、e or for the violation of any federal, state, or municipal regulation withwhich this publication may conflict.Suggested revisions are invited and should be submitted to the director of the Manufac-turing, Distribution and Marketing Department, American Petroleum Institute, 1220 LStreet, N.W., Washin
11、gton, D.C. 20005. vCONTENTSPageSECTION 1INTRODUCTION.11.1 Scope11.2 Overview11.3 Regulatory Requirements.11.4 Referenced Publications.11.5 Definitions1SECTION 2CAVERN HYDRAULICS 32.1 General.32.2 Pressure32.2.1 Casing Seat Pressure .32.2.2 Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure.32.2.3 Minimum Allowabl
12、e Operating Pressure .32.2.4 Rate of Pressure Change .42.3 Maximum Product Injection Rate42.4 Maximum Allowable Brine Injection Rate42.5 Pressure Surges (“Water Hammer”) 42.6 Specific Gravity .42.7 Brine Saturation .4SECTION 3STORED PRODUCT FACILITIES43.1 Pumps and Compressors43.2 Product Control43.
13、3 Product Measurement 43.4 Product Conditioning.53.5 Surface Product Piping 53.6 Tubular Strings.53.7 Changing the Product Stored .53.7.1 General 53.7.2 Potential Problems Areas and Solutions .5SECTION 4BRINE FACILITIES.64.1 Salinity .64.2 Brine Sources.64.3 Brine Storage Pond 64.4 Disposal74.5 Pump
14、ing .74.6 Measurement74.7 Control .74.8 Product/Brine Separation Systems.7SECTION 5FRESH WATER FACILITIES 75.1 Source 75.2 Pumping .75.3 Measurement8SECTION 6WELLHEAD/HANGING STRING86.1 General.86.2 Planning .86.3 Safety Considerations 86.4 The Workover 86.5 Additional Tests and/or Safety Devices.86
15、.6 Cavern Protection While Out of Service .9SECTION 7CAVERN INTEGRITY TESTING ANDMISCELLANEOUS SURVEYS.97.1 Mechanical Integrity or Certification Testing97.1.1 General 97.1.2 Brine Full Hydrostatic Pressure Test.97.1.3 Nitrogen/Brine Interface Test97.2 Frequency of Testing97.3 Sonar Caliper Surveys1
16、07.4 Geophysical Logs.107.5 Elevation Surveys 107.6 Records and Reports 107.6.1 Retention .107.6.2 Reporting.10SECTION 8ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGULATORYCONSIDERATIONS .11SECTION 9SECURITY119.1 General.119.2 Area Patrol .119.3 Controlled Access 119.4 Boundary/Perimeter Control119.5 Security Plans.119.6 L
17、ocks11SECTION 10EMERGENCY PLANS.1210.1 General.1210.2 Suggested Contents1210.3 Mutual Aid Organizations12SECTION 11SAFETY AND TRAINING 1211.1 Safety Engineering Design Criteria .1211.1.1 General 1211.1.2 Cavern Safety Equipment .1211.1.3 Rotating Equipment 1411.1.4 Maintenance Access1411.2 Personnel
18、 Safety.1411.3 Contractor Safety .1411.4 Operator Training.14SECTION 12RECORDS.1512.1 General.1512.2 Design and Construction Records1512.3 Regulatory Compliance Records .1512.4 Maintenance Records.1512.4.1 Routine Maintenance 1512.4.2 Preventive Maintenance1512.5 Ongoing Operations Records.1512.6 Op
19、erations Log Book.16vi1.1 ScopeThis recommended practice provides basic guidance onthe operation of solution-mined underground hydrocarbonliquid or liquefied petroleum gas storage facilities. Thisdocument is intended for first-time cavern engineers orsupervisors, but would also be valuable to those
20、peopleexperienced in cavern operations. This recommended prac-tice is based on the accumulated knowledge and experienceof geologists, engineers, and other personnel in thepetroleum industry. All aspects of solution-mined under-ground storage operation, including cavern hydraulics, brinefacilities, w
21、ellhead and hanging strings, and cavern testingare covered. Users of this guide are reminded that no publi-cation of this type can be complete, nor can any writtendocument be substituted for effective site-specific operatingprocedures.This recommended practice does not apply to cavernsused for natur
22、al gas storage, waste disposal purposes,caverns which are mechanically mined, depleted petroleumreserve cavities, or other underground storage systems whichare not solution-mined.1.2 OverviewStorage of products in solution-mined salt caverns hasbeen utilized in the United States since the late 1940s
23、. Today,storage of hydrocarbon liquids and liquefied petroleum gasesin caverns developed in both domal and bedded salt forma-tions is utilized throughout the world.Salt caverns can act independently as long term, seasonalstorage vessels; or they may serve as short term, operationalstorage. Caverns c
24、an also be inserted into the productionplant/pipeline systems to prevent supply interruptions whenmaintenance or emergency shut downs occur or to “float” onpipelines to optimize operations.Storage of product in a salt cavern may require carefulreview to ensure that the product is compatible with the
25、 salt.Chemical and physical properties of the salt at the caverndepth and at the pressure anticipated should be reviewed toverify that unwanted chemical or physical reactions will notoccur. Incompatibility of product and salt is rarely a problemfor most hydrocarbons. Examples of exceptions are stora
26、gein bedded salt caverns where sulfides are present and storageof jet fuels with de-icing agents that absorb water.In summary, storage of products in salt caverns canprovide an economical, safe, and environmentally soundmethod to store large quantities of compatible materials.1.3 Regulatory Requirem
27、entsFederal, state, and local regulations should be consultedfor specific permitting and operating requirements. In mostcases, regulations will have specific record keeping require-ments (i.e., casing pressure, annulus pressure, total injectionrate, etc.) and will also have mechanical integrity test
28、requirements (see Section 8).1.4 Referenced PublicationsThe latest editions or revisions of the following docu-ments form a part of this recommended practice to the extentspecified in the text.APIRP 5C1 Recommended Practice for Care and Use ofCasing and TubingSpec 5CT Specification for Casing and Tu
29、bingRP 1114 Recommended Practice for the Design ofSolution-Mined Underground Storage Facil-itiesRP 2220 Process Contractor Safety PerformanceDOT149 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 192 “Transportationof Natural and Other Gas by Pipeline” andPart 195 “Transportation of HazardousLiquids by Pipeline”N
30、FPA213 Standard for the Installation of SprinklerSystems15 Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems forFire Protection1.5 Definitions1.5.1 brine: a saltwater solution, said to be saturated whenmaximum salt per unit weight has been dissolved (approxi-mately 26 percent by weight at 20C).1.5.2 caprock: a
31、 mantle composed chiefly of anhydrite,gypsum, and limestone.1.5.3 casing shoe (casing seat): a cement baseformed at the bottom of the casing which provides both ananchor and pressure containment area.Recommended Practice on the Operation of Solution-MinedUnderground Storage FacilitiesSECTION 1INTROD
32、UCTION11U.S. Department of Transportation. The Code of Federal Regulations isavailable from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.20402.2National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy,Massachusetts 02169-7471.2 API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 11151.5.4 casing, conductor: t
33、he pipe placed within thedrilled hole intended to protect the shallow water sandsagainst contamination and to protect the drill site fromsloughing-in during shallow drilling operations. Note: Linepipe is typically used for this large outside diameter pipestring.1.5.5 casing, intermediate: any casing
34、 set after settingsurface casing and before setting production casing, usingone or more casing strings. Note: In salt dome storage wells,an intermediate casing is often set at the top of the caprock,and a second intermediate casing is set in the top of compe-tent salt that covers lost circulation zo
35、nes.1.5.6 casing, production: the principal casing formingthe annulus through which stored products pass. Note: Thecasings diameter should be large enough to accommodatehanging of solution-mining and brine strings.1.5.7 casing, surface: casing set to a depth belowpotable water strata and cemented to
36、 the surface to protectpotable water sands against contamination and the boreholeagainst lost circulation.1.5.8 cavern, storage: an underground cavity devel-oped by solution mining of a salt formation for the purposeof storing liquid or gaseous products.1.5.9 christmas tree: an assembly of valves, a
37、ctuators,sensors, chokes, pressure gauges, and spools installed on topof the wellhead to control flow into and out of the tubing andtubing-casing annulus.1.5.10 circulation, direct: flow during solution miningin which fresh water is introduced into the salt formationthrough the center string with th
38、e brine, then returned throughthe casing/tubing annulus (opposite of reverse circulation).1.5.11 circulation, reverse: flow during solutionmining in which the fresh water is introduced into the saltformation through the casing/tubing annulus with the brinebeing returned through the center string (op
39、posite of directcirculation).1.5.12 collapse pressure: the pressure which whenapplied to the exterior of a pipe causes the pipe to collapse.1.5.13 closure: the time-dependent decrease of cavernstorage volume due to creep and dependent upon the internalcavity pressure.1.5.14 creep: the geological pro
40、cess that causes salt andother evaporites to flow into subsurface voids that are oper-ated at a significantly lower pressure than the pressureexerted on the walls of the cavity by the formation.1.5.15 effluent: the brine formed during the solutionmining process which may carry along an amount of ins
41、ol-uble material for surface disposal.1.5.16 elevation (subsidence) surveys: periodicprecision vertical control surveys of strategically placedsurface monuments at an underground storage facility todetermine if subsidence is occurring.1.5.17 fracture pressure: the pressure which isrequired to propag
42、ate or fracture the geological formation orlift the overburden formations.1.5.18 gradient, operating: the pressure gradientpounds per square inch (psi) at casing seat / feet of over-burden existing during cavern operation and is a function ofthe mode of operation (brine/product injection/withdrawal)
43、,the rate of fluid injection or withdrawal and its relativedensity, the tubing/casing string sizes, and the product-brineinterface depth.1.5.19 gradient, pressure: a parameter expressed asthe ratio of pressure per unit depth (usually psi/foot) anddetermined to characterize the stress limitations of
44、an under-ground formation.1.5.20 interface: a surface forming a common boundarybetween two separate and immiscible fluids in a cavern (forexample, between brine and the liquid or gaseous product instorage).1.5.21 enticular: lens shaped.1.5.22 lithology: the study or characterization of rockformation
45、s.1.5.23 log: a graphic representation of a subsurfacefeature obtained through any of several techniques (forexample, gamma ray absorption or sonar). Note: Typicalapplications are density logs (or interface logs) for locatingcavern tops, casing setting depths, and product-brine inter-face; sonar sur
46、veys for determining internal cavern configu-rations; and casing inspection logs for monitoring conditionof the casing.1.5.24 mechanical integrity test: a procedure thatverifies that a cavern is capable of storing fluids withindesign limitations with no significant loss from the cavern orcavern well
47、.1.5.25 overburden: the strata lying above the saltformations, generally sedimentary in character andcomposed of sands, shales, limestones, chalk, and anhydritesand may vary from a few feet to several hundred feet indepth.1.5.26 piercement: a descriptive term applied to saltdomes that have pierced s
48、ubsurface formations.1.5.27 pillar (see web): a descriptive term applied to theresidual structural salt acting as both separating wall androof support in adjacent cavern spaces.1.5.28 product: liquid or liquefied hydrocarbons,including (but not limited to) crude oil and its products, itsderivatives,
49、 or its byproducts of oil and gas that are asfollows:a. Liquid under standard conditions of temperature and pres-sure.b. Liquefied under the temperatures and pressure at whichthey are stored.RECOMMENDED PRACTICE ON THE OPERATION OF SOLUTION-MINED UNDERGROUND STORAGE FACILITIES 3c. Stored under conditions that necessitate the use ofdisplacement fluids to withdraw them from storage.1.5.29 salt, bedded: a type of salt basin resulting fromcompressive tectonic forces (halo-tectonism).1.5.30 salt, domal: a type of salt plug resulting fromautonomous, isostatic salt movement (halo
