Pielbags bezoekt Europa's grootste ondergrondse opslagfaciliteiten voor gas (en)

Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs i will visit today two of the largest underground storage facilities of the European Union, located in Rehden and Doetlingen (Lower Saxony, Germany). In his visit, Commissioner Piebalgs will be informed about the way these facilities operate and on their importance for security of gas supply. "Gas storage facilities play a capital role in maintaining the flow of gas in the transmission and distribution systems. It is essential for the internal security of supply that this infrastructures are appropriately fed, operated and maintained", said Commissioner Piebalgs.

Such gas storage facilities, which are filled in summer, ensure that increased demand in winter can be met by the gas supply system. They also help overcome temporary supply deficiencies.

The visit to the gas storage facilities of Rehden and Doetlingen occurs five days after the meeting of the Gas Coordination Group called at the request of Commissioner Piebalgs, in order to ensure that the EU can meet the demand for gas this winter, particularly in view of last year's challenges to the security of gas supply.

Rehden gas storage facility is located 60km south of Bremen, and is the largest natural storage facility in Western Europe. It has a capacity of 4 billion cubic metres (bcm) in a depth between 1.900 and 2.100 meters. The natural gas storage of Doetlingen is located south of Oldenburg. It is capable of accommodating more that 2 billion cubic metres of gas. The natural gas is stored at a depth of 2.650 meters.