Gas Storage Caverns in East Yorkshire Zechstein Salt: Some Geological and Engineering Aspects of Site Selection

Abstract

Natural gas has been stored in underground salt cavities i n the UK since 1979: for 'peak shaving' purposes to supplement demand from the high pressure National Transmission System. Solution mining of the salt cavities began i n 1974. This existing facility is known as the Hornsea Installation and is located on the East Yorkshire coast.Seismic analysis has indicated that several potential sites previously thought to have been acceptable are now considered as unsuitable for cavern development but the identification of a suitable site in a previously unconsidered area to the South has reduced associated geological risks for cavity development.