An appraisal of underground gas storage technologies and ...

1 Executive Health and Safety An appraisal of underground gas storage technologies and incidents, for the development of risk assessment methodology Prepared by the British Geological Survey for the Health and Safety Executive 2008 RR605 Research Report Executive Health and Safety An appraisal of underground gas storage technologies and incidents, for the development of risk assessment methodology D J Evans British Geological Survey Kingsley Dunham Centre Keyworth Nottingham NG12 5GG with contribution from: Dr J M West (Microbiology) This report was commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive to help assess the safety issues associated with the underground storage of natural gas.

2 This has arisen because of the need to consider a number of applications submitted by various operators in the UK who wish to develop such facilities. The rising numbers of applications are as a result of UKCS oil and gas reserves showing rapid decline, to the extent that the UK became a net importer of gas during 2004. The Government recognises that the UK faces an increasing dependency on imports, yet has very little gas storage capacity and is, therefore, at a very real risk of supply shortfalls. It notes that the UK s capacity to import, transport and store gas and LNG efficiently has to be improved and this will require greater investment in new, timely and appropriately sited gas (and LNG) supply infrastructure, part of which is likely to include (safe) onshore underground (natural) gas storage (UGS) facilities.

3 This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy. HSE Books Crown copyright 2008 First published 2008 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

4 Applications for reproduction should be made in writing to: Licensing Division, Her Majesty s Stationery Office, St Clements House, 2-16 Colegate, Norwich NR3 1BQ or by e-mail to ii Foreword This report is the product of a study by the British Geological Survey (BGS) into published or reported problems with and incidents at underground fuel storage facilities. It forms part of a risk assessment of underground gas storage in the UK for the Health and Safety Executive for which a contribution by Quintessa is presented in a separate report (Watson et al.)

5 , 2007). For ease of use, the BGS report is presented in two volumes. Volume One comprises the text and appendices. Volume Two contains the figures and tables referred to in Volume One. The report and results contained are subject to either NERC General Conditions of Contract or, if appropriate, conditions previously agreed between NERC and the customer. All such agreements include intellectual property rights (IPR) considerations, including appropriate digital data and copyright licensing fees.

6 Disclaimer: this is wholly independent and impartial review and appraisal of the technology of underground Fuel storage (UFS), the incidents or problems encountered at various facilities and the general geological conditions of those areas, with an overview of the potential or likely areas for underground gas storage (UGS) in the UK, outlining the form that this might take. The BGS report neither promotes nor supports UFS, one particular form of UGS or any proposed facility location.

7 Additionally, it does NOT address the control or prevention of pollution, safety of the surface or subsurface infrastructure: the assumption here being that the design, maintenance and operation of such facilities would be subject to the various HSE, waste and environmental regulations covered by such documents as the COSHH (2002), COMAH (1999) and appropriate British Standards. For specific elements of an underground gas storage facility, wells and surface installations, and operational procedures, it is assumed that UGS applications would be subject to existing BS standards and legislation for oil and gas exploration and should be applied or referred to in the first instance.

8 The parallel legislation includes: The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 The Borehole Sites and Operations Regulations 1995 The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994 (as amended) The Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 These are in addition to the controls imposed under the Planning (Hazardous Substances) Act 1990 and the Planning (Hazardous Substances)

9 Regulations 1992. Whilst the BGS has made every effort to provide the HSE with a programme of work and report designed to meet their needs, this study is part of work in progress. BGS cannot be held responsible for: (i) any measurements, tests or other activities that have not been included in the work and any resulting report that subsequently become important at a later date; or (ii) any use which may be made of any part of this work in progress, nor any reliance placed on any part of this work in progress, nor any advice or information given in connection with this work in progress.

10 The British Geological Survey (BGS) has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URL s for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. However, hardcopies of the documents referenced have generally been made by the report writer(s) and could be obtained by writing to them. iii iv Acknowledgements Many individuals have provided discussion during the project and to whom the author is grateful.