Geological Exploration and 3D Modelling for Optimized StorageCavern Construction in Complex Salt Dome Structures

A comprehensive programme of investigations offers the possibility for detailed interpretationof the geological setting of cavern wells. Methods include petrographical analyses of cuttingsamples, oriented coring to obtain direct lithological/stratigraphical information and structuraldata, bromide analyses for relative age-dating and indirect structural interpretation, and open holewireline logging (gamma-ray and density logging). Additional methods, such as groundpenetratingradar (GPR) survey may be additionally applied to obtain larger-scale structural data.The combined application of standard geological and geophysical exploration techniques andnewly developed methods along with the appropriate visualization of the data by means of digitalgeological 3D modelling offers a valuable planning tool in cavern construction. This combinedapproach has proven in several projects that the risk of a cavern well to fail could be substantiallyreduced.

Geological Exploration and 3D Modelling for Optimized StorageCavern Construction in Complex Salt Dome Structures Keywords:

salt dome , geology , exploration , digital 3D modelling , cavern construction