EHS Support contributed to the technical development of the Roma Underground Gas Storage (RUGS) concept on behalf of Santos. The study assessed the suitability of depleted conventional gas fields in the Roma region for large-scale temporary storage of coal seam gas (CSG) to support the GLNG project. Work undertaken included detailed reviews of subsurface data, development of geological and dynamic reservoir models, and evaluation of injection and withdrawal performance across multiple candidate fields. The project demonstrated that the Roma fields offer significant storage potential—between 60 and 130 Bscf—with forecast injection rates of 150–250 MMscf/d. Modelling showed that the base-case development would require approximately 37 wells across seven fields, with opportunities to optimise capital cost and deliverability through deviated and horizontal well designs. Key uncertainties addressed included near-wellbore injectivity, long-term reservoir capacity, and geomechanical constraints on maximum operating pressures.
A pilot program was designed to reduce these uncertainties through targeted drilling, coring, and nitrogen/CSG injection testing. Independent review confirmed the project was grounded in robust technical analysis and provided a viable solution for managing ramp gas, ensuring GLNG supply security, and enhancing upstream operational flexibility.