New rules for underground gas storage caverns become mandatory

The US pipeline safety agency has officially adopted updated industry standards for storing natural gas underground. This means operators of salt caverns and depleted reservoirs must now follow these specific practices for design and operation.

Storing natural gas underground in salt caverns and old oil fields is a critical part of the energy system, but it carries risks. These new rules mean that the industry's own best practices for managing those risks are now legally binding. This shifts the burden from voluntary compliance to mandatory adherence, which could affect how new storage facilities are built and how existing ones are maintained.