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Subsurface salt formations are used for gas and liquid product storage in cavern created by solution mining in bedded or domal salt deposits. The properties of salt vary greatly from other sedimentary rocks in that it flows, anneals (self-heal), and folds at low temperatures and pressures. This plastic response to tectonic pressures makes salts unique in comparison to the inelastic (brittle) properties of other sedimentary rocks. Salt is also highly soluble, meaning it will dissolve very easily when exposed to water. Non-evaporite sedimentary rocks are significantly less soluble compared to salts when in contact with water, and the presence of these non-evaporite rocks and minerals can affect the development and use of the salt caverns.

Sedimentary rocks vary in mineralogical composition and range from clastic rocks that are comprised of eroded fragments of terrestrial rocks and carbonates that are composed of chemically precipitated sediments. Ranges in grain size, permeability, and porosity of these various rock types and minerals can be factors in the design of a cavern project. The mechanical properties of stiffness, elasticity, compressive strength, and vast thickness can also affect caverns.

Authors:

Nadeau, J. M.; 2015

Meeting of the Solution Mining Research Institute Salt Geology Technical Class, Rochester, NY and Santander, Spain

Keywords:
Salt cavern, dissolution, non-evaporites, solution mining, technical class, clastic sedimentary rocks, chemical sedimentary rocks, inclusions, mechanical properties, caprock, fault

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