How is natural gas stored?

Basically, it is an insurance against unforeseen supply needs. There are two methods for storing natural gas: LNG can be shipped and stored in liquid form. It takes up much less space than gaseous natural gas. It is shipped mostly on the seas. Most of the natural gas is stored in underground gas storages.

What are the different types of underground natural gas storage facilities?

On the other hand, there are three main types of underground natural gas storage facilities: Natural gas is injected into the underground storages, and as more natural gas is added, more pressure is building up. It means that the underground facility becomes a sort of pressurized natural gas container.

How does a natural gas storage system work?

Natural gas is injected into the underground storages, and as more natural gas is added, more pressure is building up. It means that the underground facility becomes a sort of pressurized natural gas container. More natural gas means more pressure, so the extraction is easier.

How does natural gas storage affect energy consumption?

Natural gas accounts for almost 25% of the EU’s energy consumption. There are a lot of natural gas storage influencing factors: But the most important factor is the weather. If the winter is cold, the storages will be empty. If the winter is warm, we don’t use as much natural gas, and the storages will be full.

What are the different types of natural gas storage?

There are two kinds of natural gas storages: The difference between the two is deliverability. The base load storage is for meeting seasonal demand. The base load delivery rates are low – the natural gas can be extracted each day, but in limited quantities. In contrast, the peak load storage has a high-deliverability for short periods of time.

How much gas is stored in the EU?

According to figures published by Gas Infrastructure Europe, the operational EU storage capacity amounted to 1,131 TWh (roughly 100 bcm) by the end of 2018. At EU level the storages would cover only one third of the average winter consumption, while in some countries this coverage ratio is less than 10%.