A reservoir for petroleum storage facility

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a petroleum storage facility (i) wherein the petroleum storage facility (i) comprises at least one reservoir (2a) for receiving petroleum (11) and a salt hill (3) penetrating to the earth surface (5) wherein the reservoir (2a) is formed in a surface (4) of the salt hill (3) located at the earth surface (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to petroleum storage facilities and methods for developing petroleum storage facilities. Background Art

[0002] The importance of storing oil reserves has been widely recognized and practiced in most countries at least since the global oil crisis of 1973. These oil reserves are used to compensate for potential short-term oil supply shortages in the country. In this regard, in many countries, oil storage is even regulated by law due to its importance to the national economy. However, oil reserves are not only used to compensate for potential short-term oil supply shortages in the country, but also to allow oil producers to compensate for temporary overcapacity and / or production shortages.

[0003] Various aspects play a role in selecting a suitable oil storage facility. For example, in addition to capacity, the work required to build and / or maintain the oil storage facility, the ability to permanently and safely hold the oil for future use, and the speed at which the oil can be extracted are also decisive.

[0004] Various types of oil storage facilities are known from practice. However, existing oil storage facilities have different disadvantages, as described in more detail below.

[0005] Typically, petroleum, such as crude oil, is stored in steel tanks. Steel tanks are particularly preferred for short-term storage, for example to allow oil producers to compensate for temporary overcapacity and / or underproduction. In particular, steel tanks can be incorporated into production equipment / pipeline systems to avoid supply interruptions during maintenance and / or emergency shutdowns.

[0006] However, steel tanks are often complex, expensive and / or difficult to maintain due to corrosion over time, both in terms of manufacture and installation. In addition, there are technical limitations on storage capacity, particularly due to manufacturing limitations and / or material availability.

[0007] Therefore, natural oil storage facilities are often used, especially for higher storage capacities as required for strategic oil storage facilities, to avoid the above-mentioned disadvantages of steel tanks. Throughout the world, oil is naturally stored using various natural oil storage facilities. For example, oil is stored in depleted oil and / or gas fields, aquifers and / or salt cavern formations.

[0008] However, these natural oil storage facilities also have various disadvantages. Exemplarily, the above-mentioned natural oil storage facilities are located underground, so that work is required to bring oil to the surface for further use and / or transportation. Thus, the speed at which oil can be extracted is limited, especially when compared with above-ground steel tanks. In addition, underground infrastructure must be provided to allow filling and / or exhaustion of oil storage facilities. In addition, another problem of underground oil storage facilities is that the underground oil storage facilities must also be prevented from collapsing to avoid environmental disasters. In addition, the construction of underground oil storage facilities is usually technically complex and therefore expensive and / or time-consuming. Further, it has been shown that the inspection of existing natural oil storage facilities is usually complicated.

[0009] Therefore, in view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an oil storage facility and a method for developing an oil storage facility that at least partially overcome the above disadvantages. Summary of the invention

[0010] This object is at least partly achieved by an oil storage facility and a method for developing an oil storage facility as defined in the independent claims. Further aspects of the disclosure are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] In particular, the object is achieved by an oil storage facility. The oil storage facility comprises at least one reservoir for receiving oil and a salt dome penetrating to the surface, wherein the reservoir is formed in a surface of the salt dome located at the surface.

[0012] Salt domes are the best-known form of geological salt structures. Specifically, a salt dome is a structural mound that can form when salt or other evaporative minerals intrude into overlying rocks in a process called diapirism. Salt domes can be discovered using techniques such as seismic reflection.

[0013] As is generally known, the surface is the interface between the solid crust of the earth including soil and water on the one hand and the atmosphere on the other hand. Therefore, it will be understood that the surface of the salt dome where the reservoir is formed may also represent a portion of the surface. In addition, the surface of the salt dome located at the surface may also be referred to as the uncovered surface of the salt dome.

[0014] In particular compared to the prior art solutions described above, the oil storage facility has various advantages, four of which are listed exemplarily below.

[0015] Firstly, large storage capacities can be achieved with reduced consumption of time, material and / or labour, in particular compared to prior art solutions. Exemplarily, in contrast to the steel tanks described above, the oil storage facility according to the invention does not require the installation of large containers made of steel. Further exemplarily, in contrast to existing natural oil storage facilities, no deep underground infrastructure has to be provided to allow the filling and / or depletion of the oil storage facility.

[0016] Secondly, the oil storage facility according to the invention is less difficult to maintain than prior art solutions. For example, compared to the above-mentioned steel tanks, no corrosion monitoring is required. Furthermore, unlike existing natural oil storage facilities, the oil storage facility according to the invention does not need to be protected from collapse.

[0017] Third, the oil storage facility according to the present invention allows a relatively high rate at which oil can be extracted, particularly when compared to existing natural oil storage facilities. In detail, as described above, existing natural oil storage facilities are located underground, so that work is required to bring the oil to the surface for further use and / or transportation, which limits the rate at which the oil can be extracted.

[0018] Fourthly, inspection of the petroleum storage facility according to the present invention is easy, particularly when compared to existing natural petroleum storage facilities which are typically located underground.

[0019] The advantages mentioned by way of example also apply to the following, even if not always explicitly stated.

[0020] At least one reservoir is optionally formed by mining and / or flushing. "Mining" in this context may include the use of excavators, blasting, cranes, manual excavation, stripping mining, open pit mining and / or other mechanical excavation methods. "Flushing" in this context may include flushing at least one reservoir with a liquid such as water. In areas where water is unavailable or limited, mining may be preferred. On the other hand, flushing may be advantageous when it is difficult to use equipment for mining. For example, in difficult-to-access terrain. Therefore, in summary, the oil storage facility according to the present invention can be created in difficult-to-access and / or dry areas. It is understood that mining and flushing can be combined.

[0021] The maximum depth measured from the surface of at least one reservoir can be in the range of 2m to 50m, optionally 5m to 30m and further optionally 10m to 20m. First, it is found that, especially compared with existing natural oil storage facilities such as those based on underground caves, reservoirs with these depths are relatively easy to implement. In addition, it has been shown that these depths allow enough capacity for most applications on the one hand, while making it easy and / or quick to remove oil. However, it is to be understood that the maximum depth measured from the surface of at least one reservoir can be even greater than the depth mentioned above. In particular, illustratively, anhydrite layers such as those mentioned below have sufficient depth.

[0022] The oil storage facility may include a first tank and a second tank, wherein the first tank and the second tank may be arranged such that: the ratio of S to D is higher than 2, wherein S represents the distance between the center of the first tank and the center of the second tank, and D represents the average of the maximum diameter of the first tank and the maximum diameter of the second tank; and / or may be arranged such that: the ratio of P to D is higher than 1, wherein P represents the minimum distance between the first tank and the second tank. It has been shown that leakage is thereby prevented between the first tank and the second tank. In addition, it has also been found that this ensures sufficient stability of the side walls of the tanks. The center of the first tank may be the centroid of the horizontal cross-sectional surface of the first tank. Therefore, the center of the second tank may be the centroid of the horizontal cross-sectional surface of the second tank. It is understood that the first tank and the second tank may be adjacent tanks. Preferably, all tanks of the oil storage facility are arranged such that the above-mentioned minimum ratio of S to D and / or the minimum ratio of P to D are satisfied for any pair of tanks.

[0023] The oil storage facility may include at least one monitoring well formed in the surface of the salt dome located at the surface. Exemplarily, the at least one monitoring well may include a hole formed in the surface of the salt dome located at the surface and a sensor arranged in the hole. The hole may be substantially vertical. In addition, the at least one monitoring well may be used to observe groundwater levels and flow conditions, thereby obtaining samples for determining groundwater and / or soil quality and for evaluating the hydraulic properties of the aquifer. It should be noted that in practice, monitoring wells are sometimes referred to as "observation wells". With the aid of at least one monitoring well, it is possible to monitor whether oil is leaking from a reservoir. Thus, environmental risks can be reduced or at least controlled. In addition, the groundwater level can be monitored, for example to prevent or at least plan for water to enter the reservoir from below.

[0024] At least one monitoring well may be arranged adjacent to a corner of at least one reservoir, wherein, optionally, at least one monitoring well is arranged on a diagonal of at least one reservoir. In this respect, it will be appreciated that at least one reservoir may be substantially rectangular. The inventors have found that such an arrangement makes it possible to monitor the tightness of two adjacent side walls of at least one reservoir. Thus, the number of monitoring wells required may therefore be kept low.

[0025] The oil storage facility may include four monitoring wells, wherein each of the monitoring wells may be arranged adjacent to a corner of at least one storage tank, wherein, optionally, each of the monitoring wells is arranged on one of two diagonals of the at least one storage tank. This arrangement has proven to be advantageous, since sufficient monitoring of the area surrounding the at least one storage tank is achieved with as few monitoring wells as possible.

[0026] The oil storage facility may include a plurality of reservoirs for receiving oil, wherein the plurality of reservoirs may be arranged in a grid pattern. A grid pattern is a pattern comprising horizontal and vertical lines that intersect each other to form a square. The reservoirs may be arranged on the lines and / or in the formed square. The use of a plurality of reservoirs may ensure redundancy compared to a single reservoir. For example, if a reservoir fails due to contamination and / or leakage, oil may continue to be extracted from the remaining reservoirs and / or fed to the remaining reservoirs. In addition, reservoirs with different characteristics may be provided. For example, some reservoirs may be optimized for rapid removal and / or filling, while other reservoirs may be optimized for storage as long as possible. In addition, arranging the reservoirs in a grid structure allows the supply infrastructure of the reservoirs to be easily designed.

[0027] The oil storage facility may include a plurality of monitoring wells formed in a surface of a salt dome located at the surface, wherein the plurality of monitoring wells may be arranged in a grid pattern. Likewise, a grid pattern is a pattern comprising horizontal and vertical lines that intersect each other to form a square. The monitoring wells may be arranged on the lines and / or in the formed square. Arranging the plurality of monitoring wells in a grid pattern enables a plurality of reservoirs that are also arranged in a grid pattern to be fully monitored. It will be appreciated that the grid pattern of the monitoring wells preferably overlaps the grid pattern of the reservoirs.

[0028] The oil storage facility may include at least one of the following: a valve configured to regulate the flow from or to at least one reservoir; a pump station; an input pipeline and an output pipeline. These components allow the oil storage facility to be integrated into the production equipment and / or pipeline system of an oil producer. Thus, the oil storage facility according to the present invention can be used by an oil producer to compensate for temporary overcapacity and / or underproduction.

[0029] The valve, pump station, input pipeline and / or output pipeline can be located outside the salt dome, wherein, optionally, the valve, pump station, input pipeline and / or output pipeline do not come into contact with the salt dome. It has been found that this can extend the shelf life of the aforementioned components. In addition, maintenance work can be reduced. In particular, because the corrosion promoting effect of the salt of the salt dome can be reduced.

[0030] Furthermore, at least 5%, optionally at least 10% and further optionally at least 15% of the total volume of the at least one reservoir can be filled with petroleum. In this way, the water collected in the at least one reservoir is always covered with petroleum. This has various advantages. For example, animals can be prevented from ingesting possibly contaminated water from the reservoir. In addition, for low temperatures, it can be ensured that no ice layer forms.

[0031] Furthermore, at least one of the reservoirs can be open-air. In this way, a roof structure can be omitted. Thus, a particularly simple design of the oil storage facility is possible. However, it goes without saying that rainwater will collect in the at least one reservoir, which then has to be pumped out depending on the filling level of the reservoir. In rainy areas, a roof over the reservoir can still be useful.

[0032] At least one reservoir may be formed entirely of a salt dome. Thus, the inner surface of the at least one reservoir may not be formed of any material other than the salt dome. Furthermore, the at least one reservoir may not be in contact with the material surrounding the salt dome, i.e., soil. This may ensure that the oil is in contact only with the salt dome and avoid contamination of the surrounding material.

[0033] At least one reservoir may be formed in an anhydrite layer of a salt dome, wherein, optionally, the anhydrite layer has a thickness in the range of 50m to 200m, further optionally 60m to 100m. In addition, the salt dome may extend at least 8km into the ground. It is understood that at least one reservoir may be formed entirely by an anhydrite layer. Anhydrite may be referred to as a mineral having the chemical formula CaSO4. In addition, it is known that when a salt dome forms a cap layer, a large amount of anhydrite will appear. It has been shown that forming at least one reservoir in an anhydrite layer of a salt dome increases the stability and / or impermeability of the reservoir. In particular, when at least one reservoir is formed entirely by an anhydrite layer. In addition, the thickness of the anhydrite layer allows sufficient safety to prevent leakage of at least one reservoir. In addition, it has been found that salt domes with a depth of at least 8km are particularly stable, for example resistant to vibration. In addition, it has been shown that salt domes with a depth of at least 8km form sufficiently uniform and / or stable anhydrite layers.

[0034] Salt domes can prevent oil from seeping into the soil. Therefore, oil storage facilities can permanently and safely hold oil for future use. It is understood that salt domes must have a certain consistency for this purpose. However, it can be determined in tests whether this consistency exists and whether it prevents oil from seeping out.

[0035] Furthermore, the above objects are achieved by a method for developing an oil storage facility, in particular an oil storage facility according to any one of the preceding claims. Since the method according to the invention can be used to obtain an oil storage facility according to the invention, it is understood that the advantages and / or features of the oil storage facility as described above can also be applied to the method, and the advantages and / or features of the method can also be applied to the oil storage facility as described above. The method comprises the following steps: locating a salt dome penetrating to the surface, and forming at least one reservoir for receiving oil in the surface of the salt dome located at the surface. Locating the salt dome can include collecting soil samples, performing leakage tests and / or applying seismic reflection.

[0036] At least one reservoir may be formed by mining and / or flushing.Corresponding advantages and / or features have been described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0037] The at least one reservoir may be formed such that a maximum depth of the at least one reservoir measured from the surface is in the range of 2m to 50m, optionally 5m to 30m and further optionally 10m to 20m. Relevant advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0038] Furthermore, a first reservoir for receiving oil and a second reservoir for receiving oil may be formed in a surface of a salt dome located at the surface, wherein the first reservoir and the second reservoir may be arranged such that: a ratio of S to D is higher than 2, wherein S represents the distance between the center of the first reservoir and the center of the second reservoir, and D represents the average of the maximum diameter of the first reservoir and the maximum diameter of the second reservoir; and / or may be arranged such that: a ratio of P to D is higher than 1, wherein P represents the minimum distance between the first reservoir and the second reservoir. The corresponding advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the present invention.

[0039] The method may further comprise the step of forming at least one monitoring well in the surface of the salt dome at the surface.Respective advantages and / or features are described above in relation to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0040] Furthermore, the at least one monitoring well may be arranged adjacent to a corner of the at least one reservoir, wherein, optionally, the at least one monitoring well is arranged on a diagonal of the at least one reservoir.Respective advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0041] Optionally, four monitoring wells are formed in the surface of the salt dome at the surface, wherein each of these monitoring wells can be arranged adjacent to a corner of at least one reservoir, wherein, optionally, each of these monitoring wells is arranged on one of the two diagonals of at least one reservoir. Corresponding advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0042] Furthermore, a plurality of reservoirs for receiving petroleum may be formed in the surface of the salt dome at the surface, wherein the reservoirs may be arranged in a grid pattern.Respective advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the petroleum storage facility according to the invention.

[0043] Furthermore, a plurality of monitoring wells may be formed in the surface of the salt dome at the surface, wherein the plurality of monitoring wells may be arranged in a grid pattern. Corresponding advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0044] The method may further comprise the step of providing at least one of: a valve configured to regulate flow from or to at least one reservoir; a pump station; an input pipeline and an output pipeline. Relevant advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0045] The valves, pumping stations, input pipelines and / or output pipelines may be located outside the salt dome, wherein, optionally, the valves, pumping stations, input pipelines and / or output pipelines do not contact the salt dome. Corresponding advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0046] The method may further comprise the step of filling at least 5%, optionally at least 10% and further optionally at least 15% of the total volume of the at least one reservoir with petroleum.Respective advantages and / or features are described above in relation to the petroleum storage facility according to the invention.

[0047] At least one of the reservoirs may be open air.Corresponding advantages and / or features have been described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0048] At least one reservoir may be formed such that it is formed completely by a salt dome.Corresponding advantages and / or features were described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0049] At least one reservoir may be formed in an anhydrite layer of a salt dome, wherein, optionally, the anhydrite layer has a thickness in the range of 50m to 200m, further optionally 60m to 100m. In addition, the salt dome may extend at least 8km into the ground. The corresponding advantages and / or features are described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention.

[0050] Furthermore, the salt dome can prevent oil from leaking into the soil.Corresponding advantages and / or features have been described above with respect to the oil storage facility according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] In the following, the drawings are briefly described:

[0052] Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a petroleum storage facility according to the present invention;

[0053] Figure 2 shows a top view of an oil storage facility according to the present invention, and

[0054] Figure 3 A diagram showing a method for developing a petroleum storage facility according to the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Figure 1 An oil storage facility 1 is shown which comprises a first reservoir 2a and a second reservoir 2b. The two reservoirs 2a, 2b are partially filled with oil 11. The oil storage facility further comprises a salt dome 3 penetrating to the surface 5, wherein the first reservoir 2a and the second reservoir 2b are formed in a surface 4 of the salt dome 3 located at the surface 5. Thus, the salt dome 3 prevents the oil 11 from leaking into the soil.

[0056] Figure 1 The oil storage facility 1 comprises three monitoring wells 6a, 6b, 6c formed in the surface 4 of the salt dome 3 at the ground surface 5. As shown, the monitoring wells 6a, 6b, 6c reach deeper into the ground than the first reservoir 2a and the second reservoir 2b. Therefore, areas deeper than the reservoirs 2a, 2b can also be monitored.

[0057] In addition, Figure 1 In the oil storage facility of the present invention, at least 15% of the total volume of the first tank 2a and at least 15% of the total volume of the second tank 2b are filled with oil 11. This increases the redundancy of the oil storage facility 1. Exemplarily, the second tank 2b can be provided in the event that the first tank 2a has a technical defect.

[0058] like Figure 1 As depicted in FIG. 2 , both the first reservoir 2a and the second reservoir 2b are open air. Thus, it can be understood that a cover can be applied to the reservoirs 2a, 2b.

[0059] In addition, Figure 1 In the oil storage facility 1, the two reservoirs 2a, 2b are completely formed by the salt dome 3. Therefore, the inner surface of the first reservoir 2a or the second reservoir 2b is not formed by any material other than the salt dome 3.

[0060] Figure 2 An oil storage facility 1 is shown, wherein the oil storage facility 1 comprises a plurality of tanks 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d for receiving oil 11. Thus, the plurality of tanks 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are arranged in a grid pattern. In addition, due to the Figure 2 The oil 11 can be seen in the top view of the oil storage facility 1, so it can be understood that the reservoir is open air. In addition, the reservoirs 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d have different filling levels. Exemplarily, the reservoir 2c is completely filled, while the reservoirs 2a, 2b, 2d are not completely filled. The oil storage facility 1 also includes a salt dome 3 penetrating to the ground surface 5, wherein a plurality of reservoirs 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d are formed in a surface 4 of the salt dome 3 located at the ground surface 5. The salt dome 3 prevents the oil 11 from leaking into the soil.

[0061] like Figure 2 As further depicted in , the oil storage facility 1 includes a plurality of monitoring wells 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d formed in a surface 4 of a salt dome 3 located at the surface 5. The plurality of monitoring wells 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are arranged in a grid pattern. There, the grid pattern of the monitoring wells overlaps with the grid pattern of the reservoir. Thus, reliable monitoring of the reservoir can be achieved. More particularly, the oil storage facility 1 includes four monitoring wells 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, wherein each of these monitoring wells 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is arranged adjacent to a corner of a reservoir 2a, wherein each of these monitoring wells 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d is arranged on one of the two diagonals of at least one reservoir 2a.

[0062] Figure 2 It is also shown that the oil storage facility 1 comprises three valves 7a, 7b, 7c configured to regulate the flow from or to the reservoir of the oil storage facility 1. In addition, the oil storage facility comprises a pump station 8, an input pipeline 9 and an output pipeline 10. Thus, the valves 7a, 7b, 7c, the pump station 8, the input pipeline 9 and the output pipeline 10 are located outside the salt dome 3, wherein the valves 7a, 7b, 7c, the pump station 8, the input pipeline 9 and / or the output pipeline 10 are not in contact with the salt dome 3. Therefore, these components are protected from corrosion. Instead, the components are arranged in or on the material 20 (soil) surrounding the salt dome 3.

[0063] Likewise Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the reservoirs 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d of the oil storage facility 1 are completely formed by the salt dome 3. Therefore, the reservoirs are not in contact with the material 20 (soil) surrounding the salt dome 3.

[0064] Figure 3 A method for developing a petroleum storage facility 1, in particular Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 1. The method 100 comprises the following steps: locating 110 a salt dome 3 penetrating to the surface 5, and forming 120 at least one reservoir 2a for receiving the oil 11 in the surface 4 of the salt dome 3 located at the surface 5. Thus, the at least one reservoir 2a can be formed 120 by mining and / or flushing.

[0065] Figure 3 The method 100 depicted in also includes the step of forming 130 at least one monitoring well 6a in the surface 4 of the salt dome 3 at the surface 5 .

[0066] also, Figure 3 The method 100 further comprises the step of providing 140 at least one of: valves 7a, 7b, 7c configured to regulate flow from or to at least one reservoir 2a; a pump station 8; an input pipeline 9 and an output pipeline 10.

[0067] also, Figure 3 The method 100 comprises the step of filling 150 at least 5% of the total volume of at least one reservoir 2a with petroleum 11 .

[0068] Reference numerals list

[0069] 1 Oil storage facilities

[0070] 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d Storage tank

[0071] 3 Salt domes

[0072] 4 The surface of the salt dome

[0073] 5 Surface

[0074] 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d Monitoring wells

[0075] 7a, 7b, 7c valves

[0076] 8 Pumping Station

[0077] 9 Input pipeline

[0078] 10 Output pipeline

[0079] 11. Oil

[0080] 20 Materials surrounding salt domes

[0081] 100 Methods for developing oil storage facilities

[0082] 110 Locating Salt Domes

[0083] 120 Form at least one reservoir

[0084] 130 Form at least one monitoring well

[0085] 140 Provide valves, pump stations and / or inlet / outlet pipelines

[0086] 150 Fill at least one reservoir

Claims

1. A petroleum storage facility (1), wherein: The oil storage facility (1) comprises: at least one reservoir (2a) for receiving petroleum (11), and a salt dome (3), wherein the salt dome (3) penetrates to the surface (5), Therein, the reservoir (2a) is formed in a surface (4) of the salt dome (3) located at the ground surface (5).

2. Oil storage facility (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The at least one reservoir (2a) is formed by mining and / or flushing.

3. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The maximum depth of the at least one reservoir (2a) measured from the ground surface (5) is in the range of 2m to 50m, optionally 5m to 30m and further optionally 10m to 20m.

4. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The oil storage facility (1) comprises a first storage tank (2a) and a second storage tank (2b), wherein the first storage tank (2a) and the second storage tank (2b) are arranged such that: The ratio of S to D is higher than 2, wherein S represents the distance between the center of the first reservoir (2a) and the center of the second reservoir (2b), and D represents the average of the maximum diameter of the first reservoir (2a) and the maximum diameter of the second reservoir (2b), and / or The ratio of P to D is higher than 1, wherein P represents the minimum distance between the first reservoir (2a) and the second reservoir (2b).

5. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The oil storage facility (1) comprises at least one monitoring well (6a) formed in the surface (4) of the salt dome (3) at the ground surface (5).

6. The oil storage facility (1) according to claim 5, wherein: The at least one monitoring well (6a) is arranged adjacent to a corner of the at least one reservoir (2a), wherein, optionally, the at least one monitoring well (6a) is arranged on a diagonal line of the at least one reservoir (2a).

7. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein: The oil storage facility (1) includes four monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d), wherein each of these monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) is arranged adjacent to a corner of the at least one reservoir (2a), wherein, optionally, each of these monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) is arranged on one of the two diagonals of the at least one reservoir (2a).

8. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The oil storage facility (1) comprises a plurality of tanks (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) for receiving oil (11), wherein the plurality of tanks (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are arranged in a grid pattern.

9. Oil storage facility (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The oil storage facility (1) comprises a plurality of monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) formed in the surface (4) of the salt dome (3) at the ground surface (5), wherein the plurality of monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) are arranged in a grid pattern.

10. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The oil storage facility (1) comprises at least one of the following: a valve (7a, 7b, 7c) configured to regulate flow from or to the at least one reservoir (2a); Pumping station (8); an input line (9), and Output pipeline (10).

11. Oil storage facility (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The valve (7a, 7b, 7c), the pump station (8), the input pipeline (9) and / or the output pipeline (10) are located outside the salt dome (3), wherein, optionally, the valve (7a, 7b, 7c), the pump station (8), the input pipeline (9) and / or the output pipeline (10) do not contact the salt dome (3).

12. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least 5%, optionally at least 10% and further optionally at least 15% of the total volume of the at least one reservoir (2a) is filled with petroleum (11).

13. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one reservoir (2a) is open-air.

14. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one reservoir (2a) is completely formed by the salt dome (3).

15. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one reservoir (2a) is formed in an anhydrite layer of the salt dome (3), wherein, optionally, the anhydrite layer has a thickness in the range of 50m to 200m, further optionally 60m to 100m, wherein, even further optionally, the salt dome (3) extends at least 8km into the ground.

16. The oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The salt dome (3) prevents petroleum (11) from leaking into the soil.

17. A method (100) for developing an oil storage facility (1), in particular an oil storage facility (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method (100) comprises the following steps: locating (110) a salt dome (3) that penetrates to the surface (5), and At least one reservoir (2a) for receiving petroleum (11) is formed (120) in a surface (4) of the salt dome (3) at the surface (5).

18. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one reservoir (2a) is formed (120) by mining and / or flushing.

19. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one reservoir (2a) is formed (120) such that the maximum depth of the at least one reservoir (2a) measured from the ground surface (5) is in the range of 2m to 50m, optionally 5m to 30m and further optionally 10m to 20m.

20. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A first reservoir (2a) for receiving oil (11) and a second reservoir (2b) for receiving oil (11) are formed (120) in the surface (4) of the salt dome (3) at the surface (5), wherein the first reservoir (2a) and the second reservoir (2b) are arranged such that: The ratio of S to D is higher than 2, wherein S represents the distance between the center of the first reservoir (2a) and the center of the second reservoir (2b), and D represents the average of the maximum diameter of the first reservoir (2a) and the maximum diameter of the second reservoir (2b), and / or The ratio of P to D is higher than 1, wherein P represents the minimum distance between the first reservoir (2a) and the second reservoir (2b).

21. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method (100) further comprises the following steps: At least one monitoring well (6a) is formed (130) in the surface (4) of the salt dome (3) at the surface (5).

22. The method (100) of claim 21, wherein: The at least one monitoring well (6a) is arranged adjacent to a corner of the at least one reservoir (2a), wherein, optionally, the at least one monitoring well (6a) is arranged on a diagonal line of the at least one reservoir (2a).

23. The method (100) according to any one of claims 21 or 22, wherein: Four monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) are formed in the surface (4) of the salt dome (3) at the ground surface (5), wherein each of these monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) is arranged adjacent to a corner of the at least one reservoir (2a), wherein, optionally, each of these monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) is arranged on one of the two diagonals of the at least one reservoir (2a).

24. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: A plurality of reservoirs (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) for receiving petroleum (11) are formed in the surface (4) of the salt dome (3) at the ground surface (5), wherein the reservoirs (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) are arranged in a grid pattern.

25. The method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein: A plurality of monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) are formed in the surface (4) of the salt dome (3) at the ground surface (5), wherein the plurality of monitoring wells (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) are arranged in a grid pattern.

26. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method (100) further comprises the following steps: Providing (140) at least one of the following: a valve (7a, 7b, 7c) configured to regulate flow from or to the at least one reservoir (2a); Pumping station (8); an input line (9), and Output pipeline (10).

27. The method (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The valve (7a, 7b, 7c), the pump station (8), the input pipeline (9) and / or the output pipeline (10) are located outside the salt dome (3), wherein, optionally, the valve (7a, 7b, 7c), the pump station (8), the input pipeline (9) and / or the output pipeline (10) do not contact the salt dome (3).

28. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The method (100) further comprises the following steps: At least 5%, optionally at least 10% and further optionally at least 15% of the total volume of the at least one reservoir (2a) is filled (150) with petroleum (11).

29. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one reservoir (2a) is open-air.

30. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one reservoir (2a) is formed such that the at least one reservoir (2a) is completely formed by the salt dome (3).

31. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The at least one reservoir (2a) is formed in an anhydrite layer of the salt dome (3), wherein, optionally, the anhydrite layer has a thickness in the range of 50m to 200m, further optionally 60m to 100m, wherein, even further optionally, the salt dome (3) is formed such that the salt dome (3) extends at least 8km into the ground.

32. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The salt dome (3) prevents petroleum (11) from leaking into the soil.

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