The construction of salt cavern underground storages in China originated from the Jintan salt mine in Jiangsu province

achieving success and establishing the first technical standard system for salt cavern storage construction in China. However

the geological conditions of other salt mines in China differ significantly from those of the Jintan salt mine

such as NaCl grade

buried depth

salt rock thickness

and interlayer characteristics. Therefore

the construction of salt cavern storage faces numerous challenges

and the “Jintan mode” cannot be directly replicated. Focusing on the geological design of salt cavern storage

solution mining engineering

and gas injection and brine discharge schemes

this paper firstly summarizes the “European and American mode” of salt cavern storage construction and the basic characteristics of China’s “Jintan mode”

which basically developed from the “European and American mode”. Then

based on research and engineering practices in salt cavern storage construction of other salt mines in China

several typical “XX modes” are put forward

adhering to the principle of “one solution design for one region or one salt mine”. The “XX modes” differ from the “Jintan mode”

with great breakthroughs and changes. They represent technical solutions and new ideas to deal with the geological complexities of salt mines in China. Finally

the key theories and technologies that need to be researched further in the next step to cope with geology challenges of salt mines are prospected.