IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,612,254
Granted Patent B2
US 12,612,254 · App. 18/185,681 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Method of enhancing methane storage capacity in salt caverns

Inventors: Rajesh Goteti (Katy, TX); Hasmukh A. Patel (Houston, TX)
Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
B65G5/00E21B33/03E21B41/0064E21B43/28F17C1/007F17C11/007F17C2221/033F17C2223/035F17C2223/036F17C2270/0155
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,612,254
App. No.
18/185,681
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure is directed toward a method for storing methane. The method for storing methane comprises several steps. A dissolving fluid comprising water is injected into a salt formation to produce a brine and a salt cavern within the salt formation. The brine is then removed from the salt cavern. A sorbent is then placed within the salt cavern before methane is injected into the salt cavern.

Claims (28)

1 . A method for storing methane comprising:

injecting a dissolving fluid comprising water into a salt formation, producing a salt cavern within the salt formation and a brine;

removing the brine from the salt cavern;

placing a sorbent within the salt cavern by:

injecting into the salt cavern a slurry comprising a carrying liquid and the sorbent;

allowing the sorbent to settle within the salt cavern; and

removing at least a portion of the carrying liquid from the salt cavern; and

inserting methane into the salt cavern.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the placing further comprises injecting an additional volume of the slurry into the salt cavern.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the injecting, allowing to settle, and the removing are repeated until at least 95 vol % of the salt cavern is filled with the sorbent.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein placing the sorbent within the salt cavern further comprises transporting the sorbent into the salt cavern using a compressed gas.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the compressed gas is air.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein placing the sorbent within the salt cavern further comprises at least one of distributing the sorbent within the salt cavern, and agitating the sorbent within the salt cavern to facilitate settling of the sorbent.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sorbent comprises at least one microporous material selected from the group consisting of: activated carbons, metal organic frameworks, porous polymers, aluminosilicates, zeolites, porous silicates, and porous silica.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the sorbent comprises the at least one microporous material and a binder.

9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising sealing the well head of the salt cavern after the inserting.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the pressure of the methane after the sealing is in a range from 500 psig to 3000 psig.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the injection of the slurry and the removal of the at least a portion of the carrying liquid are conducted concurrently.

12 . A method for storing methane comprising:

injecting a dissolving fluid comprising water into a salt formation, producing a salt cavern within the salt formation and a brine;

removing the brine from the salt cavern;

placing a sorbent within the salt cavern by transporting the sorbent into the salt cavern using a compressed gas; and

inserting methane into the salt cavern.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the compressed gas is air.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the sorbent comprises at least one microporous material selected from the group consisting of: activated carbons, metal organic frameworks, porous polymers, aluminosilicates, zeolites, porous silicates, and porous silica.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the sorbent comprises the at least one microporous material and a binder.

16 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising sealing the well head of the salt cavern after the inserting.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the pressure of the methane after the sealing is in a range from 500 psig to 3000 psig.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2023
From: SAUDI ARAMCO UPSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
To: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 065268/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 17, 2023
From: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
To: SAUDI ARAMCO UPSTREAM TECHNOLOGIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 065255/0318 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 31, 2023
From: GOTETI, RAJESH; PATEL, HASMUKH A
To: ARAMCO SERVICES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 063805/0932 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63269508 · Mar 17, 2022
Related Publication 20230296205A1 · Sep 21, 2023
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