Stability Analysis of a Typical Salt Cavern Gas Storage in the Jintan Area of China

Using underground space to store natural gas resources is an important means by which solve emergency peak shaving of gas. Rock salt storage widely recognized due its high-efficiency and environmental protection. Damage stress concentrations inside the cavern injection during withdrawal operations throughout facility life have always been among most safety issues. Therefore, accurate evaluation stability rock operation paramount significance field management control. In this study, we used finite element numerical analysis software Flac3D numerically simulate large displacement deformations wall storage—in addition distribution plastic zone around surface settlement—under different working conditions. We found that maximum settlement value occurred near upper part cavern. The increased as a function creep time, but increase leveled off, is, convergence trend was observed. relatively small and, therefore, had little impact on surface. application pressure inhibited growth zone, whole, zone’s range proportionally time. For 20-year condition, deformation cavern’s surrounding large. Combined with believe unstable; thus, corresponding reinforcement measures must be taken.