ABSTRACT

Load growth necessitated either increased trans­mission capacity or peak-shaving facilities for natural gas near the load centre of Regina, Saskatchewan.

Economics favored underground storage. Mel­ville, Saskatchewan, was selected because the geology was well known. The Prairie Evaporite formation was used for the storage of natural gas by following well established, leaching processes. A water source well and brine disposal well were drilled into the Blairmore formation. A storage well was completed in an estimated 530 feet of Prairie Evaporite.

The surface equipment included two 100 H.P. pumps for circulation of water and disposal of brine, an 800 H.P. 2200 psig electric driven gas compressor, and a glycol dehydrator to lower the dew point of the gas coming from the cavern. The solution mining phase proceeded normally, with the production in six months of a cavern with a capacity of 75,000 barrels. This cavern was then subjected to test with gas and was proven to be gas-tight. The cavern was then expanded using the same solution mining tech­niques, and was put into operational use in Septem­ber, 1963. The experience with the cavern during use in the winter of 1963-64 is given.