A geological reappraisal of the Preesall Saltfield, Lancashire, United Kingdom : recognizing geological factors relevant to gas storage

Bedded salts are characteristic of halite developed in onshore UK, and are hosts or proposed hosts for underground gas storage sites in Cheshire, Dorset, Lancashire and Yorkshire. Geological assessments of proposed storage sites provide information that influences aspects of the planning, design and construction of facilities, including cavern and infrastructure placement and operational parameters. The Preesall Saltfield is located near Blackpool in north-west England and has been an area of interest for the underground storage of gas in solution mined caverns in thick bedded halite for over a decade. Interest in this area continues, driven by UK Government’s need for additional gas storage in a bid to stabilize supply as the UK makes a transition to become a net importer of natural gas.