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EP0819834A1 - Method for making a cavity in a thin-walled salt mine - Google Patents

Method for making a cavity in a thin-walled salt mine Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0819834A1
EP0819834A1 EP97401582A EP97401582A EP0819834A1 EP 0819834 A1 EP0819834 A1 EP 0819834A1 EP 97401582 A EP97401582 A EP 97401582A EP 97401582 A EP97401582 A EP 97401582A EP 0819834 A1 EP0819834 A1 EP 0819834A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tunnel
blank
communication space
injection
cavity
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP97401582A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0819834B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Gérard Durup
Guy Boris
Yvon Charnavel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Engie SA
Original Assignee
Gaz de France SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gaz de France SA filed Critical Gaz de France SA
Priority to US08/895,983 priority Critical patent/US5957539A/en
Publication of EP0819834A1 publication Critical patent/EP0819834A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0819834B1 publication Critical patent/EP0819834B1/en
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Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21F—SAFETY DEVICES, TRANSPORT, FILLING-UP, RESCUE, VENTILATION, OR DRAINING IN OR OF MINES OR TUNNELS
    • E21F17/00—Methods or devices for use in mines or tunnels, not covered elsewhere
    • E21F17/16—Modification of mine passages or chambers for storage purposes, especially for liquids or gases
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
    • E21B43/28—Dissolving minerals other than hydrocarbons, e.g. by an alkaline or acid leaching agent

Definitions

  • the subject of the invention is a method for digging, by dissolution, a cavity in a ground containing mainly salt.
  • the invention aims more particularly to obtain, after digging, a cavity allowing the storage of a fluid and in particular of natural gas in a salt mine comprising a thin layer of salt whose height is approximately one hundred meters.
  • the communication space and the blind tunnel are hollowed out in the extension of one another in a downward slope from the injection well so that the closed end of the injection well is lower than its open end.
  • the blind tunnel is an optional well intended to recover the insoluble elements which come to deposit there.
  • the invention proposes that, to dig the cavity, the blind tunnel is also dug by circulation of the solvent in this tunnel by passing the solvent through its open end from the communication space in said tunnel and recovering the brine thus formed to extract it.
  • a blind tunnel is a tunnel separate from the communication space, which has a single end communicating with the communication space.
  • This solution notably has the advantage of allowing a varied range of cavity shapes and mining of the mine in many directions.
  • blank designates the initial state of a space or a tunnel (before dissolution of the salt by the solvent).
  • the invention proposes that the closed end of the blind tunnel is placed at a height greater than or substantially equal to that of the open end.
  • the invention proposes that at the place of the connection between the draft of the communication space and the draft of the blind tunnel (which place could be arranged a priori anywhere along the blank of communication space between the two conduits), one can realize the open end of the blank of the blind tunnel overhanging the communication space.
  • the invention proposes to arrange the injection and extraction conduits substantially coaxially so that one of these conduits is located in the center and is surrounded by the other, at least over part of its axial length. There is then only one hole to dig to make the two conduits.
  • a salt mine 1 is shown which is in stratified form and lies between two mineral layers contained in the soil 10.
  • An injection pipe 16 and an extraction pipe 18 have been placed in two wells, after excavation of these, substantially vertically between the ground level and a blank cavity dug in the salt mine 1.
  • conduits include one end located at ground level 16a, 18b and one end 16b, 18a located in the cavity blank 1a.
  • the ends 16b, 18a located in the cavity blank 1a are connected by a blank 4 of communication space.
  • the blank 4 of the communication space has been drilled from the conduit 18.
  • the drilling axis 13 has been shown in broken lines.
  • the diameter of the blank is approximately 6 cm and preferably less than 10 cm.
  • the blank 4 of the communication space comprises an elongated and substantially rectilinear and horizontal part 4c comprised between an end part 4b in connection with the extraction duct 18, and another end part 4a surrounding the injection duct 16 on part of its length, near its end 16b forming an injection point in the cavity.
  • a blank 2 of the blind tunnel was produced by extending the elongated part 4 c of the blank 4 of the communication space beyond the injection duct 16.
  • This blank 2 of the blind tunnel thus comprises a closed end 2 b and an open end 2a communicating with the draft 4 of the communication space.
  • the open end 2a overhangs the injection point 16a, so that the open end 2a is arranged close to the injection point 16b and the lower part of the open end 2a is higher than the point of injection 16b.
  • the blank 4c of the elongated part of the communication space and the blank 2 of the blind tunnel are substantially horizontal.
  • the open end of the blind holes must necessarily be lower than the closed end and likewise the elongated part of the space of communication should be lower on the side of the extraction pipe than on the side of the injection pipe.
  • a solvent here water
  • the water leaves the pipe 16 through the injection point 16b where it is injected into the end 14a of the communication space as illustrated by the arrows 15a.
  • This communication space like the entire cavity, is completely or at least almost entirely filled with water and brine.
  • the injected water being less dense than the brine, the latter rises in the upper part of the cavity 11a.
  • the water is injected at a pressure slightly higher than the pressure prevailing in the cavity.
  • the injected water flows from the end 14a of the communication space to the elongated part 14c of the communication space 14 and the blind tunnel 12.
  • the water is not introduced due to the injection pressure in the blind tunnel, but under the action of a flow created by the dissolution of the salt.
  • the water filling this cavity digs the salt mine by dissolving the salt, so that after digging, the blanks 4; 2 of the communication space and the blind tunnel form the communication space 14 and the blind tunnel 12 of width, length and height greater than their respective blanks.
  • the water loaded with salt forming brine then circulates in the lower part of the communication space 14 and of the blind tunnel 12 as illustrated by the arrows 15d, 15f.
  • the brine passes from the blind tunnel 12 towards the elongated and horizontal part 14c of the communication space 14, so that the brine formed in the blind tunnel is recovered in the communication space to be extracted there.
  • the brine flows from the elongated part 14c of the communication space 14 to the conduit 18 via the end 14b of the communication space 14, such that illustrated by arrow 15b.
  • the blind tunnel 12 communicates with the communication space 14 only through the open end, which makes it possible to drown the blind tunnel with water by introducing water into the tunnel and recovering the brine formed by dissolving the salt in the tunnel one-eyed.
  • FIG. 3 the elements corresponding to those of FIG. 2 have been identified by a number increased by 10.
  • This figure differs essentially from FIG. 2 in that the injection 26 and extraction 28 circuits are arranged coaxially .
  • the injection circuit 26 descending lowest in the cavity 21a, it is located inside and the extraction circuit 28 outside.
  • the extraction circuit 28 surrounds the injection circuit over most of its length.
  • the communication space here no longer comprises an elongated horizontal part and is produced entirely around the injection circuit 26, between the ends 26b, 28a of the injection and extraction conduits.
  • the drilling of the draft communication space can be easily obtained at the same time as that intended for the extraction duct.
  • the axis 23 of the blind tunnel outline has been shown in broken lines.
  • the circulation of water, and therefore of brine, is carried out using a compression pump 30 injecting water under pressure into the injection pipe 26 as indicated by arrow 27.
  • FIG. 4 the elements corresponding to those of FIG. 3 have been identified by a number increased by 10.
  • This figure essentially differs from the previous one in that a second blank 43 of the blind tunnel has been produced.
  • This figure illustrates the production of multiple blind tunnels 32, 42 in fluid connection by their open end 32a, 42a with the communication space 34.
  • the water injected by the injection point 36b rises since it is less dense than the brine contained in the cavity and because the injection point is located under the open ends 32a, 42a of the blind holes.
  • the water is then distributed between the different blind tunnels and digs them, loading with salt.
  • the brine thus formed then tends to descend into the end 34a of the communication space, as illustrated by the arrows 35c.
  • the flow 35a of injected water directs the brine towards the end 38a of the extraction tube 38, as illustrated by the arrows 35b.
  • the brine is then extracted by the extraction tube 38.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
  • Compounds Of Alkaline-Earth Elements, Aluminum Or Rare-Earth Metals (AREA)
  • Seasonings (AREA)
  • Steroid Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

Process for hollowing out by dissolution a cavity (1a) in a terrain (1) containing a majority of salt, with the following stages: An injection channel, an extraction channel and an outline communication space are made so the injection and extraction channels are connected, and at least one outline blind tunnel is made so it extends between an open end and a closed end, with the open end opening into the communication space. A salt solvent is then injected via the injection channel into the communication space before it hollows out the cavity by dissolving the salt. The resulting brine is then removed through the extraction channel. To hollow out the cavity the blind tunnel is also hollowed out by circulating the solvent in the tunnel. Cavity formed by using this process.

Description

L'invention a pour objet un procédé pour creuser, par dissolution, une cavité dans un terrain contenant en majorité du sel.The subject of the invention is a method for digging, by dissolution, a cavity in a ground containing mainly salt.

L'invention vise plus particulièrement à obtenir, après creusement, une cavité permettant le stockage d'un fluide et notamment de gaz naturel dans une mine de sel comprenant une fine couche de sel dont la hauteur est d'environ une centaine de mètres.The invention aims more particularly to obtain, after digging, a cavity allowing the storage of a fluid and in particular of natural gas in a salt mine comprising a thin layer of salt whose height is approximately one hundred meters.

Le terme hauteur devra être compris dans la suite de la description au sens de l'élévation.The term height must be understood in the following description in the sense of the elevation.

Compte-tenu des sollicitations auxquelles la cavité doit être soumise pendant son exploitation en tant que stockage du gaz, il est nécessaire de maîtriser la propagation de la dissolution afin d'obtenir une cavité finale présentant une forme mécaniquement stable.Given the stresses to which the cavity must be subjected during its operation as gas storage, it is necessary to control the propagation of the dissolution in order to obtain a final cavity having a mechanically stable shape.

Or, s'il est relativement aisé de contrôler la dissolution lorsque la mine atteint ou même dépasse un millier de mètres, cette opération est plus délicate lorsque le sel est stratifié. En effet, l'épaisseur de sel disponible ne dépassant alors que rarement quelques centaines de mètres, on est amené à réaliser des cavités dont la largeur est au moins égale à la hauteur.However, if it is relatively easy to control the dissolution when the mine reaches or even exceeds a thousand meters, this operation is more delicate when the salt is stratified. Indeed, the available salt thickness rarely exceeding a few hundred meters, we are led to make cavities whose width is at least equal to the height.

Certes, il est décrit dans US-A-5 246 273, pour creuser une mine de sel par dissolution de :

  • réaliser un conduit d'injection, un conduit d'extraction, une ébauche d'espace de communication mettant en liaison les conduits d'injection et d'extraction, et au moins une ébauche de tunnel borgne tel que :
    • le tunnel borgne s'étende entre une extrémité ouverte et une extrémité close, et
    • le tunnel borgne soit en liaison par son extrémité ouverte avec l'espace de communication,
  • puis injecter, par le conduit d'injection, un solvant du sel dans l'espace de communication, afin de creuser la cavité par dissolution du sel au contact du solvant,
  • extraire ensuite, par le conduit d'extraction, la saumure formée par la dissolution du sel.
Certainly, it is described in US-A-5,246,273, for digging a salt mine by dissolving:
  • produce an injection pipe, an extraction pipe, a draft of communication space connecting the injection and extraction pipes, and at least one blank tunnel tunnel such as:
    • the blind tunnel extends between an open end and a closed end, and
    • the blind tunnel is connected by its open end with the communication space,
  • then inject, via the injection pipe, a solvent for the salt into the communication space, in order to hollow out the cavity by dissolving the salt in contact with the solvent,
  • then extract, through the extraction duct, the brine formed by the dissolution of the salt.

Dans ce document US-A-5 246 273, l'espace de communication et le tunnel borgne sont creusés dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre en pente descendante à partir du puits d'injection de sorte que l'extrémité close du puits d'injection est plus basse que son extrémité ouverte. Le tunnel borgne est un puits optionnel destiné à récupérer les éléments insolubles qui viennent s'y déposer.In this document US-A-5 246 273, the communication space and the blind tunnel are hollowed out in the extension of one another in a downward slope from the injection well so that the closed end of the injection well is lower than its open end. The blind tunnel is an optional well intended to recover the insoluble elements which come to deposit there.

Par conséquent, la technique mise en oeuvre dans US-A-5 246 273 est coûteuse, car rapporté au volume de la cavité finale de forme mécaniquement stable, le nombre d'opérations de mise en oeuvre est relativement important (en particulier la réalisation des conduits et de l'ébauche de l'espace de communication).Consequently, the technique implemented in US Pat. No. 5,246,273 is expensive, since, relative to the volume of the final cavity of mechanically stable shape, the number of implementation operations is relatively large (in particular the production of conduits and the draft of the communication space).

Pour résoudre ces problèmes, l'invention propose que, pour creuser la cavité on creuse également le tunnel borgne par circulation du solvant dans ce tunnel en faisant passer par son extrémité ouverte le solvant depuis l'espace de communication dans ledit tunnel et en récupérant la saumure ainsi formée pour l'en extraire.To solve these problems, the invention proposes that, to dig the cavity, the blind tunnel is also dug by circulation of the solvent in this tunnel by passing the solvent through its open end from the communication space in said tunnel and recovering the brine thus formed to extract it.

Comme on l'aura compris un tunnel borgne est un tunnel distinct de l'espace de communication, qui possède une unique extrémité communiquant avec l'espace de communication.As will be understood, a blind tunnel is a tunnel separate from the communication space, which has a single end communicating with the communication space.

Cette solution possède notamment comme avantage, de permettre un éventail varié de formes de cavité et une exploitation de la mine dans de nombreuses directions.This solution notably has the advantage of allowing a varied range of cavity shapes and mining of the mine in many directions.

Elle permet par conséquent d'augmenter sensiblement le volume de la cavité finale que l'on peut creuser sans avoir à déplacer le conduit d'injection ou le conduit d'extraction et en conservant une stabilité mécanique donnée. Le coût de l'opération de creusement rapportée au volume de la cavité est donc réduit.It therefore makes it possible to substantially increase the volume of the final cavity which can be dug without having to move the injection pipe or the extraction pipe and while retaining a given mechanical stability. The cost of the digging operation related to the volume of the cavity is therefore reduced.

Il sera alors très avantageux de multiplier le nombre d'ébauches de tunnels borgnes en liaison avec l'espace de communication.It will then be very advantageous to multiply the number of blanks for blind tunnels in conjunction with the communication space.

Cette solution est d'autant plus remarquable, qu'elle présente un effet surprenant. En effet, un tunnel borgne ne favorise a priori pas l'entrée et la circulation du solvant, encore moins le brassage du solvant et la dissolution du sel. Telle est pourtant la réalité.This solution is all the more remarkable as it has a surprising effect. Indeed, a blind tunnel does not a priori favor the entry and circulation of the solvent, even less the mixing of the solvent and the dissolution of the salt. This, however, is the reality.

Dans toute la description, le terme "ébauche" désigne l'état initial d'un espace ou d'un tunnel (avant dissolution du sel par le solvant).Throughout the description, the term "blank" designates the initial state of a space or a tunnel (before dissolution of the salt by the solvent).

Afin d'améliorer la dissolution dans le tunnel borgne, l'invention propose que l'on dispose l'extrémité close du tunnel borgne à une hauteur supérieure ou sensiblement égale à celle de l'extrémité ouverte.In order to improve the dissolution in the blind tunnel, the invention proposes that the closed end of the blind tunnel is placed at a height greater than or substantially equal to that of the open end.

En effet, la saumure possédant une densité supérieure à celle du solvant, lorsque l'extrémité close du tunnel borgne est disposée à une hauteur inférieure à celle de l'extrémité ouverte la saumure a tendance à stagner du côté de l'extrémité close du tunnel borgne. Ainsi, il n'y a plus de circulation du solvant dans le tunnel borgne et le creusement par dissolution du tunnel borgne tend à disparaître. Ce phénomène est d'autant plus marqué que la pente est prononcée et que le tunnel borgne est long.Indeed, the brine having a density higher than that of the solvent, when the closed end of the blind tunnel is placed at a height lower than that of the open end the brine tends to stagnate on the side of the closed end of the tunnel one-eyed. Thus, there is no longer any circulation of the solvent in the blind tunnel and the digging by dissolution of the blind tunnel tends to disappear. This phenomenon is all the more marked the steeper the slope and the longer the blind tunnel.

Afin d'améliorer encore la dissolution dans le tunnel borgne, l'invention propose qu'à l'endroit de la liaison entre l'ébauche de l'espace de communication et l'ébauche du tunnel borgne (lequel endroit pourrait être disposé a priori n'importe où le long de l'ébauche d'espace de communication entre les deux conduits), on puisse réaliser l'extrémité ouverte de l'ébauche du tunnel borgne en surplomb de l'espace de communication.In order to further improve the dissolution in the blind tunnel, the invention proposes that at the place of the connection between the draft of the communication space and the draft of the blind tunnel (which place could be arranged a priori anywhere along the blank of communication space between the two conduits), one can realize the open end of the blank of the blind tunnel overhanging the communication space.

Une variante permettant également d'améliorer la dissolution dans le tunnel borgne consiste à :

  • réaliser l'extrémité ouverte de l'ébauche du tunnel borgne à proximité du conduit d'injection,
  • faire circuler le solvant dans le conduit d'injection et le faire ressortir de ce conduit par une extrémité formant point d'injection dans la cavité,
  • réaliser l'ébauche du tunnel borgne avec la partie de son extrémité ouverte en surplomb du point d'injection.
A variant also making it possible to improve the dissolution in the blind tunnel consists in:
  • make the open end of the blank of the blind tunnel near the injection pipe,
  • circulate the solvent in the injection pipe and bring it out of this pipe by one end forming an injection point in the cavity,
  • carry out the blanking of the blind tunnel with the part of its open end overhanging the injection point.

Afin d'améliorer encore la dissolution dans le tunnel borgne, l'invention propose que :

  • on réalise les conduits d'injection et d'extraction distants l'un de l'autre,
  • on ménage une partie allongée dans l'ébauche de l'espace de communication,
  • on réalise l'ébauche du tunnel borgne et la partie allongée de l'ébauche de l'espace de communication sensiblement dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre, et le conduit d'injection entre l'ébauche du tunnel borgne et la partie allongée de l'espace de communication.
In order to further improve the dissolution in the blind tunnel, the invention proposes that:
  • the injection and extraction conduits which are distant from each other are produced,
  • we spare an elongated part in the blank of the communication space,
  • the blank of the blind tunnel and the elongated part of the blank of the communication space are produced substantially in the extension of one another, and the injection pipe between the blank of the blind tunnel and the part extended communication space.

Par contre, si l'on souhaite réduire les coûts de réalisation d'une cavité ou augmenter l'éventail des formes réalisées, l'invention propose de disposer sensiblement coaxialement les conduits d'injection et d'extraction de sorte que l'un de ces conduits est situé au centre et est entouré par l'autre, au moins sur une partie de sa longueur axiale. Il n'y a alors plus qu'un trou à creuser pour réaliser les deux conduits.On the other hand, if it is desired to reduce the costs of producing a cavity or to increase the range of forms produced, the invention proposes to arrange the injection and extraction conduits substantially coaxially so that one of these conduits is located in the center and is surrounded by the other, at least over part of its axial length. There is then only one hole to dig to make the two conduits.

L'invention va apparaître encore plus clairement dans la description qui va suivre, faite en référence aux dessins annexés dans lesquels :

  • la figure 1 montre en coupe une première forme d'ébauche de cavité réalisée dans une mine de sel,
  • la figure 2 montre en coupe une première forme de cavité obtenue à partir de l'ébauche de la figure 1 après creusement par dissolution d'une partie du sel contenu dans la mine,
  • la figure 3 montre en coupe une deuxième forme de cavité obtenue après creusement par dissolution d'une partie du sel contenu dans la mine,
  • la figure 4 montre en coupe une troisième forme de cavité obtenue après creusement par dissolution d'une partie du sel contenu dans la mine.
The invention will appear even more clearly in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings in which:
  • FIG. 1 shows in section a first form of cavity blank made in a salt mine,
  • FIG. 2 shows in section a first form of cavity obtained from the blank of FIG. 1 after digging by dissolving part of the salt contained in the mine,
  • FIG. 3 shows in section a second form of cavity obtained after digging by dissolving part of the salt contained in the mine,
  • Figure 4 shows in section a third form of cavity obtained after digging by dissolving part of the salt contained in the mine.

A la figure 1, est illustrée une mine de sel 1 se présentant sous forme stratifiée et comprise entre deux couches minérales contenues dans le sol 10. Un conduit d'injection 16 et un conduit d'extraction 18 ont été disposés dans deux puits, après creusement de ceux-ci, sensiblement verticalement entre le niveau du sol et une ébauche la de cavité creusée dans la mine de sel 1.In FIG. 1, a salt mine 1 is shown which is in stratified form and lies between two mineral layers contained in the soil 10. An injection pipe 16 and an extraction pipe 18 have been placed in two wells, after excavation of these, substantially vertically between the ground level and a blank cavity dug in the salt mine 1.

Ces conduits comprennent une extrémité située au niveau du sol 16a, 18b et une extrémité 16b, 18a située dans l'ébauche la de cavité. Les extrémités 16b, 18a situées dans l'ébauche de cavité la sont reliées par une ébauche 4 d'espace de communication. Ici, l'ébauche 4 de l'espace de communication a été forée à partir du conduit 18. L'axe de forage 13 a été représenté en trait interrompu. Le diamètre de l'ébauche est d'environ 6 cm et de préférence inférieure à 10 cm.These conduits include one end located at ground level 16a, 18b and one end 16b, 18a located in the cavity blank 1a. The ends 16b, 18a located in the cavity blank 1a are connected by a blank 4 of communication space. Here, the blank 4 of the communication space has been drilled from the conduit 18. The drilling axis 13 has been shown in broken lines. The diameter of the blank is approximately 6 cm and preferably less than 10 cm.

L'ébauche 4 de l'espace de communication comporte une partie allongée et sensiblement rectiligne et horizontale 4c comprise entre une partie extrême 4b en liaison avec le conduit d'extraction 18, et une autre partie extrême 4a entourant le conduit d'injection 16 sur une partie de sa longueur, à proximité de son extrémité 16b formant point d'injection dans la cavité.The blank 4 of the communication space comprises an elongated and substantially rectilinear and horizontal part 4c comprised between an end part 4b in connection with the extraction duct 18, and another end part 4a surrounding the injection duct 16 on part of its length, near its end 16b forming an injection point in the cavity.

Une ébauche 2 de tunnel borgne a été réalisée par prolongement de la partie allongée 4c de l'ébauche 4 de l'espace de communication au-delà du conduit d'injection 16. Cette ébauche 2 de tunnel borgne comprend ainsi une extrémité close 2b et une extrémité ouverte 2a communicant avec l'ébauche 4 de l'espace de communication. L'extrémité ouverte 2a surplombe le point d'injection 16a, de sorte que l'extrémité ouverte 2a est disposée à proximité du point d'injection 16b et que la partie basse de l'extrémité ouverte 2a est plus haute que le point d'injection 16b.A blank 2 of the blind tunnel was produced by extending the elongated part 4 c of the blank 4 of the communication space beyond the injection duct 16. This blank 2 of the blind tunnel thus comprises a closed end 2 b and an open end 2a communicating with the draft 4 of the communication space. The open end 2a overhangs the injection point 16a, so that the open end 2a is arranged close to the injection point 16b and the lower part of the open end 2a is higher than the point of injection 16b.

Ici, l'ébauche 4c de la partie allongée de l'espace de communication et l'ébauche 2 de tunnel borgne sont sensiblement horizontales. On pourrait également prévoir de les réaliser légèrement inclinées. Dans ce cas, en raison de la plus forte densité de la saumure par rapport à l'eau injectée, l'extrémité ouverte des trous borgnes devra nécessairement être plus basse que l'extrémité close et de même la partie allongée de l'espace de communication devra être plus basse du côté du conduit d'extraction que du côté du conduit d'injection.Here, the blank 4c of the elongated part of the communication space and the blank 2 of the blind tunnel are substantially horizontal. One could also plan to make them slightly inclined. In this case, due to the higher density of the brine compared to the water injected, the open end of the blind holes must necessarily be lower than the closed end and likewise the elongated part of the space of communication should be lower on the side of the extraction pipe than on the side of the injection pipe.

A la figure 2, on injecte un solvant (ici de l'eau) tel qu'illustré par la flèche 17 par l'extrémité 16a du conduit d'injection 16. L'eau ressort du conduit 16 par le point d'injection 16b où elle est injectée dans l'extrémité 14a de l'espace de communication tel qu'illustré par les flèches 15a. Cet espace de communication, tout comme l'ensemble de la cavité est entièrement ou du moins presque entièrement rempli de d'eau et de saumure. L'eau injectée étant moins dense que la saumure, celle-ci monte en partie supérieure de la cavité 11a. L'eau est injectée à une pression légèrement supérieure à la pression régnant dans la cavité.In FIG. 2, a solvent (here water) is injected as illustrated by the arrow 17 through the end 16a of the injection pipe 16. The water leaves the pipe 16 through the injection point 16b where it is injected into the end 14a of the communication space as illustrated by the arrows 15a. This communication space, like the entire cavity, is completely or at least almost entirely filled with water and brine. The injected water being less dense than the brine, the latter rises in the upper part of the cavity 11a. The water is injected at a pressure slightly higher than the pressure prevailing in the cavity.

L'eau injectée circule de l'extrémité 14a de l'espace de communication vers la partie allongée 14c de l'espace de communication 14 et le tunnel borgne 12. L'eau n'est pas introduite du fait de la pression d'injection dans le tunnel borgne, mais sous l'action d'un flux créé par la dissolution du sel.The injected water flows from the end 14a of the communication space to the elongated part 14c of the communication space 14 and the blind tunnel 12. The water is not introduced due to the injection pressure in the blind tunnel, but under the action of a flow created by the dissolution of the salt.

Tel qu'illustré par les flèches 15c, 15e, l'eau remplissant cette cavité creuse la mine de sel en dissolvant le sel, de sorte qu'après creusement, les ébauches 4; 2 de l'espace de communication et du tunnel borgne forment l'espace de communication 14 et le tunnel borgne 12 de largeur, de longueur et de hauteur supérieures à leur ébauche respective. L'eau chargée en sel formant saumure circule alors en partie inférieure de l'espace de communication 14 et du tunnel borgne 12 tel qu'illustré par les flèches 15d, 15f.As illustrated by the arrows 15c, 15e, the water filling this cavity digs the salt mine by dissolving the salt, so that after digging, the blanks 4; 2 of the communication space and the blind tunnel form the communication space 14 and the blind tunnel 12 of width, length and height greater than their respective blanks. The water loaded with salt forming brine then circulates in the lower part of the communication space 14 and of the blind tunnel 12 as illustrated by the arrows 15d, 15f.

La saumure passe du tunnel borgne 12 vers la partie allongée et horizontale 14c de l'espace de communication 14, de sorte que la saumure formée dans le tunnel borgne est récupérée dans l'espace de communication pour y être extraite.The brine passes from the blind tunnel 12 towards the elongated and horizontal part 14c of the communication space 14, so that the brine formed in the blind tunnel is recovered in the communication space to be extracted there.

En appliquant une pression d'injection supérieure à la pression d'extraction, la saumure circule de la partie allongée 14c de l'espace de communication 14 vers le conduit 18 via l'extrémité 14b de l'espace de communication 14, tel qu'illustré par la flèche 15b.By applying an injection pressure higher than the extraction pressure, the brine flows from the elongated part 14c of the communication space 14 to the conduit 18 via the end 14b of the communication space 14, such that illustrated by arrow 15b.

Le tunnel borgne 12 communique avec l'espace de communication 14 uniquement par l'extrémité ouverte, qui permet de noyer le tunnel borgne d'eau en y introduisant l'eau dans le tunnel et de récupérer la saumure formée par dissolution du sel du tunnel borgne.The blind tunnel 12 communicates with the communication space 14 only through the open end, which makes it possible to drown the blind tunnel with water by introducing water into the tunnel and recovering the brine formed by dissolving the salt in the tunnel one-eyed.

A la figure 3, les éléments correspondant à ceux de la figure 2 ont été repérés par un numéro augmenté de 10. Cette figure se différencie essentiellement de la figure 2 en ce que les circuits d'injection 26 et d'extraction 28 sont disposés coaxialement. Le circuit d'injection 26 descendant le plus bas dans la cavité 21a, il est situé à l'intérieur et le circuit d'extraction 28 à l'extérieur. Le circuit d'extraction 28 entoure le circuit d'injection sur la majeure partie de sa longueur.In FIG. 3, the elements corresponding to those of FIG. 2 have been identified by a number increased by 10. This figure differs essentially from FIG. 2 in that the injection 26 and extraction 28 circuits are arranged coaxially . The injection circuit 26 descending lowest in the cavity 21a, it is located inside and the extraction circuit 28 outside. The extraction circuit 28 surrounds the injection circuit over most of its length.

Du fait de cette conformation particulière, l'espace de communication ne comprend plus ici de partie allongée horizontale et est réalisé entièrement autour du circuit d'injection 26, entre les extrémités 26b, 28a des conduits d'injection et d'extraction. Le forage de l'ébauche d'espace de communication pourra être obtenu aisément en même temps que celui destiné au conduit d'extraction. L'axe 23 de l'ébauche de tunnel borgne a été représenté en trait interrompu.Due to this particular conformation, the communication space here no longer comprises an elongated horizontal part and is produced entirely around the injection circuit 26, between the ends 26b, 28a of the injection and extraction conduits. The drilling of the draft communication space can be easily obtained at the same time as that intended for the extraction duct. The axis 23 of the blind tunnel outline has been shown in broken lines.

La circulation d'eau, et donc de saumure, est réalisée à l'aide d'une pompe de compression 30 injectant l'eau sous pression dans le conduit d'injection 26 tel qu'indiqué par la flèche 27.The circulation of water, and therefore of brine, is carried out using a compression pump 30 injecting water under pressure into the injection pipe 26 as indicated by arrow 27.

A la figure 4, les éléments correspondant à ceux de la figure 3 ont été repérés par un numéro augmenté de 10. Cette figure se différencie essentiellement de la précédente en ce qu'une deuxième ébauche 43 de tunnel borgne a été réalisée. Cette figure illustre la réalisation de multiples tunnels borgnes 32, 42 en liaison fluide par leur extrémité ouverte 32a, 42a avec l'espace de communication 34.In FIG. 4, the elements corresponding to those of FIG. 3 have been identified by a number increased by 10. This figure essentially differs from the previous one in that a second blank 43 of the blind tunnel has been produced. This figure illustrates the production of multiple blind tunnels 32, 42 in fluid connection by their open end 32a, 42a with the communication space 34.

L'eau injectée par le point d'injection 36b monte puisqu'elle est moins dense que la saumure contenue dans la cavité et que le point d'injection est situé sous les extrémités ouvertes 32a, 42a des trous borgnes. L'eau se répartit ensuite entre les différents tunnels borgnes et les creuse en se chargeant en sel. La saumure ainsi formée a ensuite tendance à descendre dans l'extrémité 34a de l'espace de communication, tel qu'illustré par les flèches 35c. En pratique, le flux 35a d'eau injectée dirige la saumure vers l'extrémité 38a du tube d'extraction 38, tel qu'illustré par les flèches 35b. La saumure est alors extraite par le tube d'extraction 38.The water injected by the injection point 36b rises since it is less dense than the brine contained in the cavity and because the injection point is located under the open ends 32a, 42a of the blind holes. The water is then distributed between the different blind tunnels and digs them, loading with salt. The brine thus formed then tends to descend into the end 34a of the communication space, as illustrated by the arrows 35c. In practice, the flow 35a of injected water directs the brine towards the end 38a of the extraction tube 38, as illustrated by the arrows 35b. The brine is then extracted by the extraction tube 38.

Sur cette figure 4, la circulation d'eau, et donc de saumure, est réalisée à l'aide d'une pompe d'aspiration 40 aspirant la saumure par l'intermédiaire du tube d'extraction 38, tel qu'indiqué par la flèche 39.In this FIG. 4, the circulation of water, and therefore of brine, is carried out using a suction pump 40 sucking the brine through the extraction tube 38, as indicated by the arrow 39.

Bien entendu l'invention n'est nullement limitée aux modes de réalisation décrits ci-dessus. Ainsi, on pourrait prévoir d'inverser les conduits d'injection et d'extraction, sans que cela modifie l'invention.Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described above. Thus, provision could be made to reverse the injection and extraction conduits, without this modifying the invention.

Claims (9)

Procédé pour creuser, par dissolution, une cavité (1a) dans un terrain (1) contenant en majorité du sel, ledit procédé comprenant les étapes suivantes : - réaliser un conduit d'injection (16, 26, 36), un conduit d'extraction (18, 28, 38), une ébauche (4) d'espace de communication (14, 24, 34) mettant en liaison les conduits d'injection et d'extraction, et au moins une ébauche (2) de tunnel borgne (12, 22, 32, 42) tel que : • le tunnel borgne s'étende entre une extrémité ouverte (2a) et une extrémité close (2b), et • le tunnel borgne soit en liaison par son extrémité ouverte avec l'espace de communication, - puis injecter, par le conduit d'injection, un solvant du sel dans l'espace de communication (4, 14, 24, 34), afin de creuser la cavité par dissolution du sel au contact du solvant, - extraire ensuite, par le conduit d'extraction, la saumure formée par la dissolution du sel, caractérisé en ce que pour creuser la cavité on creuse également le tunnel borgne par circulation du solvant dans ce tunnel en faisant passer par son extrémité ouverte le solvant depuis l'espace de communication dans ledit tunnel et en récupérant la saumure ainsi formée pour l'en extraire.Method for digging, by dissolution, a cavity (1a) in a ground (1) containing mainly salt, said method comprising the following steps: - make an injection pipe (16, 26, 36), an extraction pipe (18, 28, 38), a blank (4) of communication space (14, 24, 34) connecting the pipes injection and extraction, and at least one blank (2) of a blind tunnel (12, 22, 32, 42) such as: The blind tunnel extends between an open end (2a) and a closed end (2b), and • the blind tunnel is linked by its open end with the communication space, - then inject, via the injection pipe, a solvent for the salt into the communication space (4, 14, 24, 34), in order to hollow out the cavity by dissolving the salt in contact with the solvent, - then extract, through the extraction duct, the brine formed by the dissolution of the salt, characterized in that in order to dig the cavity, the blind tunnel is also dug by circulation of the solvent in this tunnel by passing the solvent through its open end from the communication space in said tunnel and recovering the brine thus formed for the extract. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'on dispose l'extrémité close du tunnel borgne à une hauteur supérieure ou sensiblement égale à celle de l'extrémité ouverte.Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the closed end of the blind tunnel is placed at a height greater than or substantially equal to that of the open end. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que l'on réalise l'extrémité ouverte (2a) de l'ébauche (2) du tunnel borgne (12, 22, 32, 42) en surplomb de l'ébauche (4) de l'espace de communication (14, 24, 34), à l'endroit de leur liaison.Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the open end (2a) of the blank (2) of the blind tunnel (12, 22, 32, 42) is produced overhanging the blank (4 ) of the communication space (14, 24, 34), at the place of their connection. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que : - on réalise l'extrémité ouverte (2a) de l'ébauche (2) du tunnel borgne (12, 22, 32, 42) à proximité du conduit d'injection (16, 26, 36), et - on fait circuler le solvant dans le conduit d'injection et ressortir de ce conduit par une extrémité (16b, 26b, 36b) formant point d'injection dans la cavité, - on réalise l'ébauche du tunnel borgne avec son extrémité ouverte en surplomb du point d'injection. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: the open end (2a) of the blank (2) of the blind tunnel (12, 22, 32, 42) is produced near the injection pipe (16, 26, 36), and - the solvent is circulated in the injection pipe and out of this pipe by one end (16b, 26b, 36b) forming an injection point in the cavity, - We carry out the blanking of the blind tunnel with its open end overhanging the injection point. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'on dispose sensiblement coaxialement les conduits d'injection (16, 26, 36) et d'extraction (18, 28, 38) de sorte que l'un de ces conduits est situé au centre et est entouré par l'autre, au moins sur une partie de sa longueur axiale.Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the injection (16, 26, 36) and extraction (18, 28, 38) conduits are arranged substantially coaxially so that one of these conduits is located in the center and is surrounded by the other, at least over part of its axial length. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que : - on réalise les conduits d'injection (16) et d'extraction (18) distants l'un de l'autre, - on ménage une partie allongée (4c) dans l'ébauche de l'espace de communication, - on réalise l'ébauche (2) du tunnel borgne et la partie allongée (4c) de l'ébauche (4) de l'espace de communication sensiblement dans le prolongement l'un de l'autre, et le conduit d'injection (16) entre l'ébauche (2) du tunnel borgne et la partie allongée (4c) de l'ébauche (4) de l'espace de communication. Method according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: the injection (16) and extraction (18) conduits which are distant from each other are produced, - an elongated part (4c) is spared in the blank of the communication space, - The blank (2) of the blind tunnel is produced and the elongated part (4c) of the blank (4) of the communication space substantially in the extension of one another, and the injection pipe (16) between the blank (2) of the blind tunnel and the elongated part (4c) of the blank (4) of the communication space. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'on réalise plusieurs ébauches de tunnels borgnes (33, 43) en liaison avec l'espace de communication (34).Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several blanks of blind tunnels (33, 43) are produced in connection with the communication space (34). Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'on réalise l'ébauche (2) du tunnel borgne avec un diamètre inférieur à 10 cm.Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blank (2) of the blind tunnel is produced with a diameter of less than 10 cm. Cavité obtenue par la mise en oeuvre du procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes.Cavity obtained by the implementation of the method according to any one of the preceding claims.
EP97401582A 1996-07-19 1997-07-03 Method for making a cavity in a thin-walled salt mine Expired - Lifetime EP0819834B1 (en)

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US8333245B2 (en) 2002-09-17 2012-12-18 Vitruvian Exploration, Llc Accelerated production of gas from a subterranean zone
EP3293314A1 (en) * 2016-09-12 2018-03-14 MLW-intermed Handels- und Consultinggesellschaft für Erzeugnisse und Ausrüstungen des Gesundheits- und Bildungswesens mbH Method of forming a water storage device
WO2018046517A1 (en) * 2016-09-12 2018-03-15 MLW-intermed Handels- und Consultinggesellschaft für Erzeugnisse und Ausrüstungen des Gesundheits- und Bildungswesens mbH Method for producing a water store
CN111749733A (en) * 2019-03-28 2020-10-09 中国石油天然气集团有限公司 Method for rebuilding gas storage warehouse by communicating old cavity
CN110344810A (en) * 2019-07-18 2019-10-18 中国科学院武汉岩土力学研究所 A kind of method for building up of Salt layer gas storage horizontal cavity

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ATE242840T1 (en) 2003-06-15
PT819834E (en) 2003-10-31
DE69722718T2 (en) 2004-04-22
FR2751374A1 (en) 1998-01-23
DE69722718D1 (en) 2003-07-17
FR2751374B1 (en) 1998-10-16
CA2210866A1 (en) 1998-01-19
EP0819834B1 (en) 2003-06-11
ES2201252T3 (en) 2004-03-16

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