Study the Behaviour of Underground Oil Cavern under Static Loading Condition

Area of Science:

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Civil Engineering

Background:

• India's growing population necessitates enhanced energy security, with crude oil being a critical resource.
• The nation's lack of domestic oil reserves leads to significant import dependency, creating vulnerabilities during global supply disruptions.
• Storing crude oil is essential for energy security, but surface storage facilities are economically and logistically challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the stability of underground caverns designed for crude oil storage in India.
• To investigate the significance and effectiveness of the water-curtaining system in maintaining cavern integrity.
• To analyze the impact of excavation on cavern stability and potential surface displacement.

Main Methods:

• Two-dimensional (2D) modeling was employed to simulate cavern behavior under various conditions.
• Geological and geotechnical data were utilized to create realistic models for analysis.
• Comparative analysis of wet and dry cavern models was performed to understand the influence of water presence.

Main Results:

• The study determined the stress distribution around the underground cavern structure.
• Analysis quantified the displacement that could propagate to the surface following cavern excavation.
• The findings provide insights into the geomechanical behavior of underground oil storage caverns.

Conclusions:

• Underground caverns are a viable and economical solution for crude oil storage in India.
• The water-curtaining system plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term stability and safety of these caverns.
• Understanding stress and displacement patterns is crucial for the successful design and operation of underground oil storage facilities.