Lined mined caverns

With the increase of natural gas consumption, the need to store huge LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) volumes near import terminals became critical. To this end, Geostock, in collaboration with SAIPEM-SA and SK Engineering & Construction, has developed a technology to store LNG at -160° in Underground Mined Rock Cavern.

This concept, which is a combination of two well-proven technologies mastered by Geostock and its partners, namely: 

• the storage of hydrocarbons underground in mined rock caverns, 
• the membrane containment used for conventional LNG tanks and ocean carriers, 

has been tested and validated with the design, construction and operation of a pilot plant in South Korea. 

Underground storage is a cost effective, safe and reliable technique and offers many advantages in comparison with conventional tanks:  

• investment cost is lower for huge quantities, 
• safety and environmental protection are greatly enhanced, 
• the land area required is minimized.