Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs) are one of the major interventions adopted world over for energy security mandate. As part of the Phase I storage program, a total of 5.33 MMT of storage capacity has been created in underground unlined rock caverns at three locations namely Vishakhapatnam (1.33 MMT), Mangalore (1.5 MMT) and Padur (2.5 MMT). Located in the southern peninsular region of India, the storage facility built at Padur is the largest underground storage project in India and one of the largest in the world. The present paper outlines the basics of underground rock cavern storage technology and narrates the accomplishments achieved while executing the SPRs project at Padur (Udupi), India. The paper also covers the design, engineering, construction aspects as well as the challenges faced during the project execution.
Underground Unlined Rock Caverns, Hydrogeologic Containment, Water Curtain, Concrete Plugs, Strategic Petroleum Reserves, India
