The storage of gas in the Appalachian area is of vital importance to the industry and to the large concentration of population in northeastern United States.

Since 1915, when it was first used in Canada, gas storage became a necessity due to the increased demand of the various industries. Large gas supplies from Texas and Louisiana are delivered into the Appalachian through the Big Inch and Little Inch pipelines. It is anticipated that 75 per cent of the gas used in the Northeast will be "imported" gas. This imported gas may reach 2 billion cubic feet per day.

The demand being greater in the winter and the obligation of fulfilling purchasing contracts regardless of the demand, makes storage of gas a necessity to meet peak loads. This explains why most major gas companies are operating or developing gas storage fields. Fifty such pools are now in operation, and many more contemplated.

The locations usually chosen for gas storage are porous permeable reservoirs, which have been exploited in the past for gas, and are at present practically depleted. Many old wells are intended to be used again for the injection of new gas into the reservoirs and for the preservation of the gas stored during a sufficient period of time. The problem consists therefore in selecting an area for storage, appropriate geologically, and where the wells already existing could be worked over accordingly without excessive difficulties.

When a geologist is called upon to recommend an area for gas storage he naturally will investigate all the well logs available in that field. This is a tedious and heart-breaking job in many instances. Well logs giving only the names of the well, the approximate geographical location, and, in large print, "Gas producer," are available. But, no mention is made as to the depth of the well, the formations encountered, the size of the hole, or the casing seat, as the only important information to the operator at that time was the production of gas. Better logs naturally are available in recent years, but several storage pools are being developed in fields drilled during the last century--with practically no records at all.

Well logging and auxiliary services can provide a valuable help in such circumstances, and the purpose of this paper is to explain what information can be derived from them. It is eventually of two types: (1) information on the geological features of the area, including structural, stratigraphic and depositional data; and (2) information concerning the mechanical conditions of the wells, including casing positions and size, hole diameter, cavings, deviations, et cetera.

It is believed that the scientific completion of gas storage fields with the use of gamma-ray logs and other auxiliary operations, will prove to be highly efficient and time-saving.

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