Abstract: Subsurface Brine Disposal in the Cambro-Lower Ordovician (Sauk Sequence) of Central and Western New York: Implications for New Salt-Cavern Gas-Storage Reservoirs

KOLKAS, MOSSBAH M., AND GERALD M FRIEDMAN

An enormous amount of brine is generated during the leaching process in salt caverns designed for gas storage. Injection of these brines into deep-subsurface, porous, and permeable formations appears to be the most environmentally acceptable method of disposal. The Beekmantown Group of the Cambro-Lower Ordovician (Sauk Sequence) of central and western New York has been selected for this study to learn about its ability as a brine disposal or gas-storage reservoirs. Stratigraphically, the Beekmantown Group consists of a basal unit of sandstone (Potsdam Formation) that underlies a unit of sandy dolostone (Theresa Formation). Based on analyses of two-core sections and three sets of well cuttings, the Beekmantown Group (Sauk Sequence) of this region has been divided into several lithofacies. Each of these lithofacies has its distinctive lithologic and petrophysical characteristics. The petrophysical parameters (porosity, permeability, recovery efficiency, and fluid saturation) of the Potsdam Sandstone signify its capability for brine disposal and/or gas-storage reservoir.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria