CSA Z341 SERIES-14

Preface

This is the fourth edition of CSA Z341 Series, Storage of hydrocarbons in underground formations, which consists of CSA Z341.1, and Reservoir storage, CSA Z341.2. It supersedes the previous editions published in 2010, 2006 and 2002. It also replaces CSA Z341, published as a single Standard in 1998 and 1993.

This Series of Standards covers the storage of hydrocarbons in naturally formed geological reservoirs and solution-mined salt caverns. This Series is intended to establish essential requirements and minimum standards for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, abandonment, and safety of underground storage systems. Users are reminded that this Series is not a design handbook; it is necessary to exercise competent engineering judgment in conjunction with its use.

Major revisions to this edition are found in the following clauses:

(a) CSA Z341.1:

(i) Clause 4 (materials);

(ii) Clauses 5.3.18, 5.3.19, 5.4.14, 7.1, 10.1.6, 10.3.3, and 10.4.2 (records retention); and

(iii) Clause 9 (surface facilities).

(b) CSA Z341.2:

(i) Clause 4 (materials);

(ii) Clauses 5.3.18, 5.3.19, 5.4.14, 7.1, 10.1.6, 10.3.4, and 10.4.2 (records retention);

(iii) Clause 5.2.3 (core acquisition);

(iv) Clause 6.2.2 (cavern spacing);

(v) Clause 7.6.3 (operation limits);

(vi) Clauses 8.3.2 and 8.3.3 (cavern commissioning);

(vii) Clause 9 (surface facilities);

(viii) Clauses 10.2.5, 10.2.6, and 10.2.7 (cavern workovers and MITs);

(ix) Annex A (updates reflecting clauses above);

(x) Annex B (all equations have been corrected); and

(xi) Annex C (MIT procedures).

Annex A in each Standard provides commentary that complements and clarifies the clauses of CSA Z341.1 and CSA Z341.2

The requirements of this Series are adequate under conditions normally encountered in the storage industry. Requirements for abnormal or unusual conditions are not specifically addressed, and complete details of engineering and construction are not provided. It is intended that all work performed within the scope of this Series will meet or exceed the safety standards expressed or implied in the Series. It is possible that changes will have to be made based on new experience or technology, or both. When necessary, amendments will be issued by CSA.

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Z341.1-14 – Reservoir storage

Scope

1.1

This Standard sets out minimum requirements for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, abandonment, and safety of hydrocarbon storage in underground reservoir formations and associated equipment. The equipment considered includes

(a) storage wellhead and Christmas tree assemblies;

(b) wells and subsurface equipment; and

(c) safety equipment, including monitoring, control, and emergency shutdown systems.

Note: Hydrocarbons covered by this Standard are restricted to natural gas.

1.2

The scope of this Standard is shown in Figure 1.

1.3

This Standard does not apply to

(a) underground storage facilities for gases or fluids other than hydrocarbons, such as storage facilities used for air storage, unless these fluids are used specifically for the displacement of stored hydrocarbons;

(b) underground storage facilities used for storing substances other than hydrocarbons, such as reaction chambers and waste disposal facilities;

(c) underground storage in overburden materials involving the use of tanks, such as gasoline tanks;

(d) design and fabrication of pressure vessels that are covered by pressure vessel codes;

(e) heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, and piping in processing plant facilities, manufacturing plants, or industrial plants that are covered by appropriate codes;

(f) gathering lines, flow lines, metering, compressors, and associated surface equipment beyond the first emergency shutdown valve (ESV) or block valve; and

(g) storage of hydrocarbons containing hydrogen sulphide in concentrations greater than 10 mol/kmol.

1.4

It is not the intent of this Standard to prevent the development of new equipment or practices, nor to prescribe how such innovations should be handled.

1.5

Where the requirements of this Standard differ from the requirements of other standards or codes referenced herein, the requirements of this Standard take precedence.

1.6

The requirements of this Standard do not apply retroactively to existing installations and installations under construction at the time of publication, but they do apply to the extension, replacement, maintenance, and upgrading of such installations.

1.7

In CSA Standards, “shall” is used to express a requirement, i.e., a provision that the user is obliged to satisfy in order to comply with the standard; “should” is used to express a recommendation or that which is advised but not required; “may” is used to express an option or that which is permissible within the limits of the standard; and “can” is used to express possibility or capability.

Notes accompanying clauses do not include requirements or alternative requirements; the purpose of a note accompanying a clause is to separate from the text explanatory or informative material.

Notes to tables and figures are considered part of the table or figure and may be written as requirements.

Annexes are designated normative (mandatory) or informative (non-mandatory) to define their application.

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Z341.2-14 – Salt cavern storage

Scope

1.1

This Standard sets out minimum requirements for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, abandonment, and safety of hydrocarbon storage in underground salt caverns and associated equipment.

The equipment considered includes

(a) storage wellhead and Christmas tree assemblies;

(b) wells and subsurface equipment; and

(c) safety equipment, including monitoring, control, and emergency shutdown systems.

Hydrocarbons within the scope of this Standard include crude oil, diesel, natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, butane, and other hydrocarbons by themselves or in mixtures.

1.2

The scope of this Standard is shown in Figure 1.

1.3

This Standard does not apply to

(a) underground storage facilities for gases or fluids other than hydrocarbons, such as storage facilities used for air storage, unless these fluids are used specifically for the displacement of stored hydrocarbons;

(b) underground storage facilities used for storing substances other than hydrocarbons, such as reaction chambers and waste disposal facilities;

(c) underground storage in overburden materials involving the use of tanks, such as gasoline tanks;

(d) design and fabrication of pressure vessels that are covered by pressure vessel codes;

(e) heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, and piping in processing plant facilities, manufacturing plants, or industrial plants that are covered by appropriate codes;

(f) gathering lines, flow lines, metering, compressors, and associated surface equipment beyond the first emergency shutdown valve (ESV) or block valve; and

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