Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage has reached the maximum seasonal filling

In pumping season 2019/2020, the booked capacity in Inčukalns Underground Storage (Inčukalns US) exceeded the initially forecasted capacity by 24.4% thus reaching the maximum filling of storage during this season. Considering the high demand, JSC “Conexus Baltic Grid” (Conexus) doesn’t accept new bookings of capacities.

The initial forecast testified that the system users will store 14.9 TWh natural gas in the storage during the pumping season, but currently the total volume of storage capacity sold by Inčukalns US has reached 18.54 TWh, that according to the technical assessment of Conexus and recommendations of storage author’s supervision organization is also the maximum amount of natural gas to be stored during season 2019/2020. 

Although the technological project of Inčukalns US prescribes that the maximum volume of active natural gas to be stored in the storage is 24 TWh, from 2015 the actual filling of storage has reduced. So, this year’s increasing demand shows the strategic importance of Inčukalns US in gas supply safety in Latvia and in the region.

Zane Kotāne, Chairperson of Board of Conexus: "Although currently operative decisions must be made and booking of storage capacities must be suspended, it must be recognized that in general the increasing demand in season 2019/2020 to store the natural gas in Inčukalns US is a positive signal for the necessity of storage despite the fact that the storage was not completely filled during the previous season. This year’s natural gas pumping season will be a useful reference point for the traders that makes one think on timely booking of pumping capacities. If the demand remains positive also further, perhaps, we shall consider an auction for storage capacities."

In July, the company determined 24-hour limitation for pumping capacities in the storage to 104 GWh/day to implement and balance the demand of system users for the services of Inčukalns US. At the same time, it was decided to extend the pumping season 2019/2020 to 13 November 2019.

For the convenience of system users, Conexus maintains repeated publications of market statements at its website capacity.conexus.lv and updates regularly the information on Inčukalns US capacities.

Information published: 25.07.2019.

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