Regulatory, technical pressures prompt more U.S. salt-cavern gas storage

Salt caverns are an effective way for natural gas suppliers to increase storage capacity. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission changed the way gas is stored with Order 636, so that suppliers no longer depend on pipeline operators for storage. The resulting need for more flexible storage has been met by salt caverns that are strong, will not leak, and are easily constructed. There are over 1,000 hydrocarbon storage caverns in North America, some built in the 1950s. Most can hold at least 3-6 bscf of gas.
Natural-gas storage in U.S. salt caverns is meeting the need for flexible, high delivery and injection storage following implementation Nov. 1, 1993, of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's Order 636. [...]