The Feasibility Analysis of an Underground Natural Gas Storage Using a Depleted Offshore Gasfield

Abstract

Abstract Objectives/Scope Compared with the underground nature gas storage (UNGS) onshore, the offshore UNGS is further from residential areas and industrial areas, which can shave the peak of natural gas more safely. However, the investment of offshore engineering is higher. Offshore UNGS with reusing offshore depleted gas reservoir construction can not only solves the problems of offshore engineering structure and wells abandonment but also greatly reduces the investment. Methods, Procedures, Process According to the experience of UNGS onshore, the following factors were considered: reservoir buried depth, working gas volume, distance from land, etc. Based on one depleted gasfield in Bohai Bay, the feasibility analysis of an UNGS was carried out, the impact of the offshore UNGS on the environment, the sealing of the underground gas trap and the integrity of the wellbore were evaluated, and the result proves that the sealing of the underground gas trap of the gas field was good. The natural gas pipeline network subsea can provide transportation for the UNGS and compatible to be transformed into the offshore UNGS. However, for one thing, the poor wellbore integrity conditions and imperfect well pattern constraint the reusing, for another, the capacity of offshore facilities need to be improved. Results, Observations, Conclusions According to the economic evaluation, the investment of offshore depleted gas reservoir reusing as UNGS can be reduced by 56% compared with the construction of a new onshore UNGS, and 32% compared with the offshore gas field abandon. A new idea is provided for peak shaving of natural gas, greatly reducing the investment in gas storage construction. Experience has been accumulated by the feasibility analysis of offshore depleted gas field UNGS and that has a bright future. Novel/Additive Information The limitation of natural conditions on project construction, contingency plans for force majeure such as sea ice, storm and earthquake, etc are necessary to be considered, and its implementation still needs the support of the government and relevant non-governmental organizations