Although other types of storage are available (in aquifers, exhausted underground workings, etc.), salt caverns offer the fastest delivery of gas to cope with seasonal fluctuations and peaks in demand.

At the beginning of September, Storengy - a global leader in underground natural gas storage - began marketing the first two salt caverns at its Stublach Gas Storage Project.

  • At the Stublach facility, the first two operational caverns offer a combined storage capacity of 40 million cubic meters.
  • Commissioning of the facility is scheduled to complete in 2018
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Salt cavern storage involves using a series of caverns carved out of deep, thick seams of rock salt. The caverns are created by injecting water to progressively dissolve a clearly-defined area of salt. The caverns for the Stublach project will be extracted in the form of brine that will then be reused by local chemicals plants. The resulting space is then available to take natural gas injected and stored in gaseous form at high pressure. Impermeable to water and non-porous, these caverns are remarkably watertight.

The two caverns currently operational have a combined capacity of 40 million cubic meters of natural gas. When the facility is fully operational in 2018, it will boast 20 caverns with a storage capability of 400 million m³ of gas. Considered to be one of the most flexible infrastructures in the UK, it will improve the security of gas supply throughout the country, responding directly to the needs of the British market, where gas occupies a key position in the energy landscape. Construction of this facility beneath the Cheshire countryside has also involved a series of special measures to ensure seamless integration into the landscape and minimal disturbance to local wildlife.

"It's an important milestone for the teams at Storengy, whose involved commitment has been a determining factor in delivering the project, and I'd like to thank them for that. Their professionalism and determination mean that we can now offer new services to the British market. Storengy has stood by its commitment to invest in this strategically important project, despite challenging conditions in the storage market.  The Stublach gas storage facilities will give the UK a more secure supply of gas, and respond directly to the growing need for flexibility in the British energy market." Charlotte Roule, Managing Director of Storengy UK

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