Transient electromagnetic detection method in water-sealed underground storage caverns

Abstract

Taking advantage of the water sensitivity of the transient electromagnetic method (TEM), this study assesses the effectiveness of the water curtain system for underground LPG storage caverns during the excavation period. It also detects fracture water flow during the excavation process in light of the practice of two pilot large underground LPG storage caverns in China. Comparative maps of apparent resistivity derived from TEM measurements before and after water-filling during the excavation process have been discussed to improve the quality of the water curtain system. This is the first case to apply TEM to detect the quality of the water curtain system during the construction of underground LPG storage cavern projects, and it is found to be practical, more visualized and worth popularizing.

Keywords

• LPG storage
• Transient electromagnetic method
• Underground caverns
• Water curtain system
• Fracture flow