Shaping tomorrow’s possibilities today
In addition to the storage of hydrocarbons in the geological underground, underground storage facilities are also used for the permanent or temporary disposal and utilisation of various media such as mining drilling waste or carbon dioxide.
Carbon Capture Storage (CCS)/Carbon Capture Use Storage (CCUS)
In addition to the expansion of renewable energies, the subsurface storage or temporary storage of carbon dioxide has great potential for reducing emissions. While aquifers or large volume extracted hydrocarbon deposits are primarily considered for the long-term storage of carbon dioxide (CCS), salt caverns are particularly suitable for the temporary storage of CO2 as an important component of the CO2 transport infrastructure required in the system.
In principle, the methods and tools used in hydrocarbon storage can be applied to the planning of such storage or intermediate storage facilities. Particular attention must be paid to the different material properties and the resulting requirements for the selection of materials to be used.
Our services
- Preparation of conceptual and feasibility studies
- Design planning for all trades of subsurface facilities (e.g. drilling, well completion etc.)
- Planning and evaluation of necessary test works
- Geological analyses of relevant rock formations (designated storage formations, rock salt deposits)
- Thermodynamical and geomechanical assessment
- 3D reservoir simulations (reservoir and aquifer storages) and leaching simulations (cavern storages)
- Monitoring and support for daily storage operation
- On site supervision
Your contact
Andreas Bannach
Head of Team Geo-Support
Disposal of residuals from mining operations
Under certain conditions, caverns are qualified for the safe and sustainable utilisation and disposal of mining and non-mining drilling residuals (cutting and mud). Our engineering activities include testing the suitability of caverns, planning and construction of subsurface facilities and monitoring of backfilling operations at surface and subsurface levels.
A particular focus is the monitoring of various process parameters and extensive analyses of the chemical and physical properties of the backfilling material, which form the basis for the long-term verification of the safe containment of the backfilling material. We have been supporting backfilling operations for mining residuals for more than 20 years and for non-mining residuals (from waste incineration) for more than 15 years.
Our services
- Planning, construction and operation including engineering support and monitoring of backfilling processes at surface and subsurface level
- Design of facilities and processes
- Planning, coordination and documentation of monitoring
- Long-term verification of the safe containment of backfilling material
Your contact
Felix Anding
Senior Project Engineer