Enhancement of Inčukalns UGS
With working gas capacity of 24 TWh Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (hereinafter – UGS) represents the largest available gas storage in the Baltic Sea region. Inčukalns UGS is natural, aquifer type storage with compressor injection but natural withdrawal. Pressure difference between storage and transmission system ensures withdrawal from storage. Currently at the end of withdrawal season, pressure at entry from storage drops to 30 bar, allowing ensuring late winter supply.
Several cross boarder transmission system enhancement projects are ongoing in Baltic market, to facilitate gas market integration, end Baltic isolation and enhance gas flows. During feasibility analysis of Enhancement of the Latvian – Lithuanian Interconnection (ELLI) project as well as technical design of Baltic Connector, it has been concluded that Baltic transmission system pressure shall be increased to 50 - 55 bar to allow gas transit flows between Baltic countries to extent planned in EU financed projects. Increasing pressure in Baltic transmission system adversely impact working conditions of the storage and ability to withdraw gas from the storage at the end of winter.
The aim of the project is to enhance the operations of the storage to allow the Inčukalns Underground gas storage to maintain its functionality after pressure upgrade in Baltic transmission system. The key benefit from the implementation of the Project is the ability to reduce the dependence of withdrawal capacity on the volume of gas reserves in the Inčukalns UGS.
During the project, new compressor will be installed allowing first time compression extraction from the storage. The compressor will allow increasing pressure in reservoir until the necessary 50-55 bar in outlet pipeline from Inčukalns UGS. To function in such new regime, storage wells and surface facilities require certain enhancements, which are inherent part of this project. Besides, the project will improve environment measures by decreasing CO2; NOx, Sox and other emission footprint.
You can find full document HERE.
You can find project's infographics HERE.
