Comprehensive Research of Construction and Stability of Horizontal-Well Cavity Natural Gas Storage in Thinly-Bedded Salt Rocks in China

Abstract

Based on the similarity theory, a large-size salt rock horizontal well cavity-leaching test platform was built, and horizontal-well cavity leaching tests with nitrogen cushion were carried out, and based on the cavity-leaching parameters, the extension characteristics of cavity morphology and the influence law of the cavity-leaching parameters were analysed; and through the establishment of numerical models reflecting the actual horizontal-well cavities morphology and characteristics, a long-term stability analysis of the horizontal well cavities was carried out, and in combination with the cavity morphology and characteristics, the distribution characteristics of the horizontal well cavity displacements and the plastic zones in the long-term operation were analysed.