BS EN 1918-3:2016

What is BS EN 1918-3 - Functional recommendations for storage in solution-mined salt caverns about?  

BS EN 1918-3 covers the functional recommendations for design, construction, testing, commissioning, operation, maintenance and abandonment of underground gas storage (UGS) facilities in solution-mined salt caverns up to and including the wellhead. 

BS EN 1918-3 specifies practices which are safe and environmentally acceptable. 

In this context, "gas" is any hydrocarbon fuel: 

• Which is in a gaseous state at a temperature of 15 °C and under a pressure of 0,1 MPa (this includes natural gas, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The stored product is also named fluid 

• Which meets specific quality requirements in order to maintain underground storage integrity, performance, environmental compatibility and fulfils contractual requirements. 

BS EN 1918-3 specifies common basic principles for underground gas storage facilities.  

Note 1: Users of this European Standard should be aware that more detailed standards and/or codes of practice exist.  A non-exhaustive list of relevant standards can be found in Annex A. 

Note 2: For necessary surface facilities for underground gas storage, EN 1918-5 applies. 

Who is BS EN 1918-3 - Functional recommendations for storage in solution-mined salt caverns for? 

BS EN 1918-3 on functional recommendations for storage in solution-mined salt caverns is useful for: 

• Petroleum and natural gas industry 
• UGS plants 
• Installation and operation units of solution-mined salt caverns 
• Environmental safety agencies 
• Disaster management departments 
• Testing houses and laboratories 

Why should you use BS EN 1918-3 - Functional recommendations for storage in solution-mined salt caverns? 

Solution mining is the controlled leaching of the cavern to its desired shape and size. Solution mining of the cavern is usually achieved by controlled circulation of water or not saturated brine through two concentric leaching strings down the wellbore and up again to the surface. Depending on the flow direction it is defined as either direct or reverse leaching. 

The operation of any cavern gas storage facility consists of many activities. The main part is the control of the injection and the withdrawal of gas.  

Compliance with the guidelines specified in BS EN 1918-3 helps you ensure that the gas remains in the predetermined, recognized and controlled storage zone and that the impact of storage on the overburden remains acceptable. 

Operation of these facilities by adhering to BS EN 1918-3 conforms to written operating instructions and safety procedures. These shall cover start-up, normal operations, emergency conditions, shutdown and maintenance operations. 

BS EN 1918-3 helps you ensure integrity of the solution-mined salt caverns and safety of the facility from any probable threats/ hazards.

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 1918-3 supersedes EN 1918-3:1998. BS EN 1918-3 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 1918-3:1998. These include: 

• More details on function and technology of underground storage, including figures  
• Addition of activities and reviews related to safety 
• Additional elements to take into account in a well design 
• Addition of HSE chapter 
• Addition of Abandonment chapter