Another 1.424 TWh of natural gas stored in Inčukalns underground gas storage

For the first time in history, natural gas injection continues at the Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (UGS) one month after the start of the withdrawal season, with another 1.424 TWh stored in the storage facility during the month.  Thus, the total volume of natural gas stored in the storage facility reached 14.34 TWh by 13 November, the operator of the natural gas transmission and storage system Conexus Baltic Grid AS (Conexus) informs.

In order to contribute to the security and continuity of natural gas supply, natural gas injection is also provided at the same time as natural gas withdrawal during this withdrawal season. This is made possible by a storage upgrade project, significantly increasing the flexibility and readiness of the storage facility to ensure uninterrupted flows of natural gas in both directions. The storage facility can inject a minimum of 50 gigawatt hours (GWh) per day until the end of the withdrawal season.

Rinalds Dimiņš, Manager of the Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage Facility, says: "The modernisation works at the Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage, which are being carried out as part of the European investment project of common European interest, have allowed us to increase the performance of the storage facility, making a significant contribution to the continuity and security of natural gas supply. These changes are historic, as the storage facility is now adapting to the conditions, not the other way around, which is a very important aspect in the current geopolitical situation. With the availability of natural gas injection capacity for system users, it is positive that users continue to actively place natural gas in storage."

The Inčukalns UGS upgrade works will be implemented by the end of 2025 as part of the European project of common interest and the investment is currently forecast at €99.5 million, of which €44 million is covered by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The project involves the rehabilitation of surface infrastructure and wells, the modernisation of the existing five gas pumping units and the installation of a new additional gas pumping unit, improving the security of natural gas supply, increasing the operational capacity of the storage facility and facilitating integration into the international energy market.