The Project

The proposed Keuper Gas Storage Project (KGSP) would involve using specially designed underground salt cavities – created through solution mining – to store natural gas.

INOVYN Enterprises and its predecessors have has been solution mining the Holford Brinefield to produce brine for over 80 years. Once the brine is mined, the specially designed cavity left behind can then be used to store natural gas.

Natural gas has been stored safely in cavities in the Holford Brinefield since the 1980s. Over 200 cavities have already been developed at the site for brine production, 19 of which are currently in use for gas storage with a further 10 in development.

The proposed development would consist of up to 19 cavities in total, together with a Gas Processing Plant and associated infrastructure – including brine and water infrastructure and connections to the UK’s existing gas network.

For maps and descriptions of the proposed development sites, visit our Plans page by clicking here.

 

The need for gas storage

Gas storage helps to keep lights on and homes warm across the UK by providing a secure and flexible source of energy. Over a quarter of the UK’s electricity is generated from gas and as a country we rely heavily on imports, meaning a domestic supply is needed to respond to variable demands – for example, more gas is needed during colder, winter months.

Forecasts show that gas will remain an important energy source for heating and electricity for UK homes for many decades.  UK Government policy supports the creation of underground gas storage facilities as a means of achieving a secure energy supply. The Energy and Climate Change Committee, which examines the work of government departments, has called for the Government to double the UK’s current gas storage by 2020.

 

Investing in further gas storage in Cheshire

INOVYN has an ongoing demand for brine to meet the needs of our operations across Cheshire and our other customers in the chemical industry. Even without gas storage, cavities would still be required to provide the brine. This proposed development would make use of the salt cavities once all brine has been extracted.

Cheshire’s geology also means it is one of the few places in the UK where gas can be safely stored underground and there are already a number of existing gas storage facilities operating in the area.

The proposed gas storage site is immediately adjacent to two existing underground gas storage facilities, the Holford Gas Storage Facility, operated by Uniper and the Stublach Gas Storage Project, operated by Storengy.

INOVYN Enterprises and its predecessors has been mining the Holford Brinefield for generations and has an excellent understanding of the geology in the area. KGSL has also appointed Geostock, one of the leading companies specialising in underground storage, to commission seismic surveys that have helped us to determine the best locations for the cavities.  The facilities have to meet strict safety standards, which are amongst the most stringent in the world.