Natural Gas Storage in the World

So-called seasonal storage facilities serve to seasonally balance supply and consumption.  Seasonal gas storage facilities are characterized by the possibility of storing large quantities of gas and the relatively regular exchange of gas injection and withdrawal within one calendar/climate year; gas is usually stored from April to October, while it is withdrawn from November to March (heating season).

The other type of storage facilities is the so-called peak gas storage facilities. Such storage facilities have significantly less storage volumes than seasonal storage facilities, while their fundamental purpose is to cover peak consumption. Therefore, compared to their working volume, they have a large withdrawal and injection capacity, which allows them quick withdrawal and injection. Peak storage facilities can be emptied within a few days or weeks, and they need approximately the same amount of time to be once again filled and toped up. So as opposed to seasonal storage facilities, peak storage facilities are emptied and filled/toped up several times during one season.

There are three basic types of underground gas storage facilities:
- gas storage facilities in depleted gas and oil fields,
- gas storage facilities in aquifers,
- gas storage facilities in salt caverns.

Each type has its advantages and inadequacies, although the most frequent form of gas storage in the world involves storage in depleted gas and oil fields.

The largest underground gas storage facilities are located in Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France.

The United States, followed by Russia, Ukraine and Germany are dominant according to the number of underground gas storage facilities and working volume.