Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe i Gazownictwo SA, or PGNiG has established a new cavern underground gas storage facility in Kosakowo, northern Poland.
The site will improve gas transmission in the Pomerania region, in particular by ensuring the continuity of supplies and facilitating the connection of new users to the gas supply network. The new facility, comprising surface infrastructure and an underground section, will be put in service in 2014. Currently, it is being operated on a trial basis to establish its technical parameters and operating profile. It is expected to be ready for commercial handling of gas fuel in the second quarter of 2014. The surface section will collect gas from the transmission system, inject it into the storage caverns, withdraw it again and deliver it back to the transmission system. The site's key facilities include an auxiliary pressure reduction station, compressor station, gas separator, gas collection facility A, process boiler house, control facilities, process gas network and ancillary facilities. The gas injection capacity is 100,000 m3/h, while the withdrawal capacity is 400,000 m3/h. The surface facilities and underground caverns are part of an EU co-funded project, which is scheduled for completion in 2015.