Abstract: A system for storing and monitoring nuclear waste. The system includes a storage borehole having an end segment configured to store nuclear waste in a subterranean storage site location having a shale rock layer. The layer has a measured fluid overpressure in a range corresponding to greater than hydrostatic pressure to less than a lithostatic pressure from overlying rock layers. The system also includes a monitoring borehole configured to reside in the layer with an end segment of the monitoring borehole in a vicinity of the end segment of the storage borehole. The measured fluid pressure at the end of the monitoring borehole is in the fluid overpressure range.

Abstract: A system for storing and monitoring nuclear waste. The system includes a storage borehole having an end segment configured to store nuclear waste in a subterranean storage site location having a shale rock layer. The layer has a measured fluid overpressure in a range corresponding to greater than hydrostatic pressure to less than a lithostatic pressure from overlying rock layers. The system also includes a monitoring borehole configured to reside in the layer with an end segment of the monitoring borehole in a vicinity of the end segment of the storage borehole. The measured fluid pressure at the end of the monitoring borehole is in the fluid overpressure range.

Abstract: A method comprising storing nuclear waste, including identifying a subterranean storage site location having a shale rock layer. The layer has an expected fluid overpressure in a range corresponding to greater than hydrostatic pressure to less than lithostatic pressure from overlying rock layers. Storing the waste can include forming a storage borehole, with an end segment of the storage borehole located within the layer and measuring the fluid pressure in the end segment of the storage borehole. If the measured fluid pressure in the end segment of the storage borehole is in the expected fluid overpressure range, forming a monitoring borehole in the layer with an end segment of each of the monitoring boreholes being in a vicinity of the end segment of the storage borehole and storing nuclear waste in the end segment of the storage borehole. A system for storing and monitoring nuclear waste is also described.

Abstract: A method comprising storing nuclear waste, including identifying a subterranean storage site location having a shale rock layer. The layer has an expected fluid overpressure in a range corresponding to greater than hydrostatic pressure to less than lithostatic pressure from overlying rock layers. Storing the waste can include forming a storage borehole, with an end segment of the storage borehole located within the layer and measuring the fluid pressure in the end segment of the storage borehole. If the measured fluid pressure in the end segment of the storage borehole is in the expected fluid overpressure range, forming a monitoring borehole in the layer with an end segment of each of the monitoring boreholes being in a vicinity of the end segment of the storage borehole and storing nuclear waste in the end segment of the storage borehole. A system for storing and monitoring nuclear waste is also described.