Abstract: Potential for Future Development of Salt Cavern Storage in the Upper Silurian Syracuse Formation of South-Central New York

J. P. Bass, G. Sarwar, B. Guo, G. M. Friedman

Although depleted reservoirs remain the dominant structures used for storage fulfilling the demand for base load gas supply during the heating season, the current general surge in storage projects, nationwide, takes advantage of opportunities in Order 636, and makes greater use of salt caverns for gas storage. This reflects the increasing need by gas users, local distribution companies in particular, to quickly cycle a storage facility's gas supply for services such as peak shaving, emergency supply, and system balancing to meet hourly swings. Occurrence of thick deposits of bedded salt deposits provides New York the capability to develop high deliverability salt cavern storage facilities. Furthermore, New York is uniquely positioned at the gateway to major northeastern m rkets to provide peak load storage services of natural gas supply.

The thickest units of bedded salt in New York occur in the "F" horizon of the Upper Silurian Syracuse Formation. Tree bedded salt cavern storage facilities have been recently proposed in New York. Two of these projects are small and involve conversion of an existing salt mine and a small LPG storage cavern; the third project is much larger (with 5 Bcfg ultimate capacity), is under construction, and will provide valuable storage service to the Ellisburg-Leidy market center hub in Pennsylvania.

Identification of possible sites for future salt cavern storage projects has been achieved chiefly by defining areas of thick beds of salt at sufficient depths close to gas transmission lines, with access to a freshwater supply for leaching, and possessing an acceptable method of brine disposal.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90954©1995 AAPG Eastern Section, Schenectady, New York