The objective of this research is to investigate the stability of a cluster of caverns that could be leached asynchronously as well as be converted into storage caverns asynchronously. In the future there may be salt domes with multiple storage caverns. Gas storage salt caverns may be operated next to hydrogen storage caverns, or compressed air storage caverns or salt production caverns. All of these have their own operational envelopes and pressures. In order to asses the safety of making and operating these different caverns next to each other more knowledge about possible interactions and the stability of cavern clusters is needed.
The overarching research question is how do different storage and production activities within a salt dome interact and affect the structural and containment integrity of the salt caverns over time?
Using the salt characteristics of the Zuidwending salt dome, a layout of two caverns will be modelled in 3D to address this question. The two caverns vary in size and use:
- One is a gas storage cavern, the other also a gas storage cavern
- One is a production cavern, the other a gas storage cavern
- One is a gas storage cavern, the other a hydrogen storage cavern
The research is commissioned to the CCC consortium and started at the beginning of 2026.