GROUND EXPLORATION FOR UNDERGROUND OIL STORAGE

In preparation for a proposed construction of surface and underground oil storage, an exploratory core drilling program was carried out. To meet local authority environmental constraints, the crude oil and petroleum products will be stored underground with only minimal surface tankage. Unlined underground rock caverns used for oil storage are dependent on the surrounding ground water pressure, which prevents oil seepage into the rock. It is therefore essential that the nature of the rock mass and its hydraulic and rock mechanical properties are known before a site is recommended and excavation begins. Core drilling was carried out to depths of up to 185 m. Cores of 35 mm dia. were produced from 14 holes drilled at a variety of angles. Core recovery was reported to have been 99 percent and many were recovered with the clay/sandstone interface intact in a single stick of core. The average drilling rate was close to 2 m per hour. It is anticipated that the rock caverns will have their roofs about 30 m below sea level and will have a total capacity of 20 million barrels of oil. Closed circuit TV explorations were conducted in addition to the core sampling. The video tapes were used for analysis and comparison with the core samples.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00174653
• Corporate Authors:

  Foundation Publications Limited

  7 Ongar Road
  Brentwood CM15 9AU, Essex,   England 
• Publication Date: 1977-4

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 26
• Serial:
  • GROUND ENGINEERING
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: EMAP CONSTRUCT LIMITED
  • ISSN: 0017-4653

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Closed circuit television; Cores (Specimens); Drilling; Excavations; Exploration; Fuel storage; Groundwater; Handling and storage; Hydroelectric power generation; Petroleum; Sampling; Storage facilities
• Old TRIS Terms: Core drilling; Underground storage; Water power
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Geotechnology; Highways; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00165947
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Analytic
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 26 1978 12:00AM