Our underground storage systems incorporate microseismics, temperature and pressure data into one fully integrated monitoring platform, covering everything from integrated acquisition through to visualization.

Underground Gas Storage (LPG and LNG)—Microseismic monitoring systems have been installed at many underground LPG and LNG storage sites to ensure containment integrity. Typically ESG’s iAccelerograph and seismic accelerometers are installed from the water curtain galleries to provide high resolution seismic coverage of the caverns, providing operators with real time 3D event location display of any seismic activity occurring within the site.

Peizometers are also installed at various locations around the cavern to monitor the hydrostatic pressure around the water jacket, and correlate any associated fluid escape with seismicity that may be occurring within the cavern. Pressure data is automatically collected by the system, and presented graphically to the operators.

Nuclear Waste Repository Storage—ESG is actively involved in studying the potential for longer term underground storage of nuclear waste. Seismic monitoring plays a key role in determining the long-term stability of the underground structures that are used to store the waste.

ESG’s monitoring systems characterize the stress distribution around the storage caverns and can identify and characterize micro-fracture development and rock properties. Our systems can be employed in a laboratory environment or in-situ during underground tests. The data obtained from these monitoring programs is then used to calibrate geotechnical models and understand the rock mass response to excavation. Tests have also been completed to include data from heating or pressurizing the rock.