Natural Gas Storage
Inčukalns underground gas storage (Inčukalns UGS) is the only functional storage in the Baltic countries, which ensures the stability of regional gas supply. During the summer season, when consumption of natural gas in the region is several times lower than in the cold season, natural gas is pumped to the storage, so that in heating season it could be supplied to customers in Latvia, Estonia, north-west Russia and (in smaller amounts) Lithuania. Thanks to the storage, natural gas supply stability and power for Latvian customers are independent from other countries demands, because in heating season, they fully receive natural gas from Inčukalns UGS.
The Inčukalns UGS is owned and operated by Latvian gas transmission system operator JSC "Conexus Baltic Grid".
Capacity
The maximum capacity of Inčukalns UGS is 4.47 billion cubic meters, from which 2.32 billion cubic meters is active or constantly pumped natural gas. In case of rising consumption of natural gas in the region, Inčukalns UGS capacity can be increased up to 3.2 billion cubic meters of active natural gas, which will fully ensure Latvia’s and the nearby region needs for fuel.
Geological Structure
Latvia has a unique, concentrated geological structure, which allows to create natural gas storage at least in 11 locations, with a total capacity of up to 50 billion cubic meters. That is about 10% of the annual consumption of the European Union and about the same as the total storage capacity across the European Union. Storage is possible because deep in the Latvian soil there is a layer of porous sandstone, which has good storage properties and which is coated with gas-tight rock layers, also these geological structures are placed at optimal level of 700-800 meters deep, allowing safe and cost-efficient storage of gas.
Key Characteristics
Storage collector layer: 680 – 760 m depth; thickness: 50m
Storage capacity: 4.47 bcm, of witch 2.32 bcm active gas; 2.15 bcm buffer gas
Injection capacity: 17 mcm/day, deflation capacity: 30 mcm/day
Working pressure: min 24 bar, max 105 bar
Gas pumping unit total power: 33.8 MW (45 500 hp)
Number of bores: 180, of which 93 operational
Number of compressor workshops: 2
Number of gas collection points: 3
Gas deposit area: 25 km2
Contacts
JSC Skulte LNG Terminal
Address: Dzirnavu iela 36, Rīga, LV-1010
Reg. code: 40103976384
VAT code: LV40103976384
tel.: +371 29 452 558
+371 29 151 050
e-mail:
