ABSTRACT
Hydrocarbon storage caverns are unlined openings preferentially excavated in hard rock for stability and hydraulic containment purpose. Volcanic rocks are good candidates for the development of medium to large caverns but they are often excluded during site selection for hydrogeological reasons related to the rock structure. Based on laboratory tests and in situ measurements, the geomechanical behaviour pyroclastic rocksare presented and compared to granite in which many caverns have already been excavated worldwide.
