It is reported that storage of both liquids and gases in solution mined salt caverns first took place in Canada in the early 1940's. In the early 1950's, salt caverns were commonly used for liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and other hydrocarbons in Canada and the United States. Salt caverns were then being used a decade later for the storage of natural gas with the first reported cavern located near Marysville, Michigan. In Canada, the first salt caverns engineered for gas storage were constructed in Saskatchewan in 1963.
Since the 1950's, there has been a significant advancement in the design and construction technology for salt caverns. The shapes and behaviours of the caverns can now be validated through several technological methods. There is also considerable experience that exists which helps in applying the new technological methods. Reference
R.L. Thoms and R.M. Gehle, A Brief History of Salt Cavern Use, College Station, Texas, 2000
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