Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) Site Characterization Report, West Hackberry Salt Dome: Section I; Section II; and Section III

摘要

This report is composed of the following three sections: (1) West Hackberry Cavern Stability Issues; (2) Geological Site Characterization, West Hackberry Salt Dome; and (3) Salt Properties for West Hackberry Dome. Section one reviews cavern stability, integrity, and usability issues regarding existing and planned storage caverns in the West Hackberry salt dome. Previous studies are discussed, ongoing investigations are summarized and data needed to support the assessment are described. Section two is a comprehensive site characterization study done by Woodward-Clyde consultants for Sandia. The geological characterization was to be done in two phases. In the first phase, a comprehensive study would be prepared from existing data, and in the second phase, field programs would be used to gather specific information as needed. Section two represents the results of Phase 1 only. Section three evaluates the properties of salt from the West Hackberry salt dome. The evaluation includes review of core, borehole logs and drilling reports to determine typical material properties and define anomalies. The typical quasi-static and creep properties of the salt are consistent with published values for salt from many worldwide locations. The typical impurities in this dome are anhydrite-halite layers with near vertical dip. Small quantities of anhydrite are also dispersed within the salt grains. The salt dome is suitable for the long-term storage for petroleum in caverns which can be constructed using normal leaching techniques. (ERA citation 06:013404)