Hard Rock Storage Cavern, West Virginia

PB broke ground for a 1.2MM Bbl, mined LPG storage cavern in 2006 with the drilling of an 8-ft diameter service shaft and two 3-ft diameter ventilation/pump shafts. When completed in 2009, this will be the first hard rock cavern constructed in the US since 1984. Prior to that time, PB constructed nearly all of the 85 US hard rock storage caverns. PB's project management responsibilities include design engineering for surface LPG handling systems, oversight of mining activities and cavern testing and commissioning.

Gas Storage Prefeasibility Studies, India

PB is completing work for the Government of India to assess the preliminary feasibility of developing strategic natural gas storage stocks a several locations throughout the country. Candidate storage locations include depleted production reservoirs, aquifers and prospective salt caverns. During the next phase of this project, PB will develop and oversee site investigation programs for the most promising sites.

LPG Storage Wells, Texas

In the second half of 2007, PB will drill two additional large diameter salt dome wells for a commercial operator at Mont Belvieu, Texas. The wells will be used for simultaneous commercial brine production and LPG storage operations, and ultimately converted to natural gas storage service. Located east of Houston, Mont Belvieu is the world's most active cavern storage complex, hosting more than 130 caverns.

LNG Import Caverns, Gulf Coast

Salt caverns offer a secure and economic alternative to the cryogenic tanks that are normally used for surge storage at LNG gasification facilities. PB is working with a number of operators to develop gas cavern plans for prospective Gulf Coast LNG import facilities. 

Mined Storage Caverns, Peoples Republic of China

In 2003 - 2004, PB prepared front end engineering designs (FEED) for two 200,000 cubic meter (1.25 million barrel) LPG storage caverns in southern China. PB continues to provide Owner's Engineer and construction inspection and support services to the project. The first cavern was placed into service in January, 2007 and the second will be placed into service in the fall of 2007. Further details and the names of Owner and location remain confidential at this time.

Mined Storage Caverns, Japan

PB has provided consulting services to the Kajima Corporation since 1976 for the development of the Japanese Strategic Storage Program for LPG's. The program is under construction and PB will provide consulting services until completion in 2010.

Natural Gas Storage Caverns, Peoples Republic of China

PB recently completed evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of using the Jintan salt deposits for underground gas storage. The scope of work included developing key elements for project planning and evaluation: 

Large Diameter Well Workovers, Louisiana 

Our Field Services Division has completed the third group of storage wells in a multi-year program to workover all wells for LOOP, LLC. Each LOOP cavern features five 30-inch wells, four of which are equipped with 20" (or 22") suspended casings for brine flow. Work under this program includes removal and replacement of suspended casings and inspection and lining of the 30" cemented casings.

Loop's caverns were developed in the late '70's by PB's Fenix and Scisson division.

Subsidence Monitoring

PB and affiliates developed plans and performs subsidence monitoring for the majority of Texas and Louisiana storage facilities that are required by regulators to monitor subsidence.

Permitting

Situated at the world's largest underground storage complex, caverns at Mont Belvieu, Texas are subject to special regulatory requirements. PB developed or assisted in the development of the successful Rule 95 re-permitting packages for all Mont Belvieu operators.

Hydrogen Cavern, Texas

PB has been engaged to prepare preliminary designs and prepare permit application documentation for a Texas hydrogen cavern.

Grass Roots LPG Storage Facility, Texas

PB has been engaged to engineer leaching facilities, wells and caverns and to drill storage and brine disposal wells for a new underground LPG terminal at Spindletop Dome, Texas. Drilling and construction are planned to commence in early 2008.

LPG Handling Facilities, West Virginia

PB is performing detailed design engineering for topsides LPG handling systems and connecting pipelines in conjunction with the ongoing construction of it's West Virginia mined cavern project.

Technical Support Services, Texas and Louisiana SPR Facilities

Since 1977, PB has provided continuous technical support services for surface and subsurface facilities to the US Department of Energy's Strategic Petroleum Reserve Program. Among other tasks, PB is presently working on plans to expand the SPR capacity from 700 million to 1 billion barrels.

Pipeline Mapping, Texas 

IN 2002, PB prepared detailed maps of all plant and cross-country pipelines for the operators of storage facilities at the world's largest underground storage complex in Mont Belvieu, Texas. PB continues to prepare annual updates to the drawing set to incorporate recent  construction and piping modifications.