CEDIGAZ Report: UGS Worldwide Working Capacity Grew 5% in 2013

Worldwide working capacity of Underground Gas Storage increased by 5% in 2013, reaching 399 bcd of gas on January 1, 2014, said CEDIGAZ in its last report.  

According to the data released on Thursday, all the regions registered an increase. The Middle East was the area whose working gas capacities grew the most. 

‘Working gas capacity grew in 2013 in all UGS markets. The growth was particularly strong in the Middle East (+375%) thanks to the commissioning of the Shourijeh storage in Iran (the only country with Underground Gas Storage in the Middle East), raising Iranian capacity to slightly more than 6 bcm,’ reads the note. 

CEDIGAZ, the International Center for Natural Gas Information, sees an acceleration of UGS projects in Europe in 2014, with Italy, Germany and United Kingdom accounting for most of the expansion. 

‘New facilities being built and on-going expansion at existing facilities add up to 44 bcm, 50% of which are located in Europe.’

Salt caverns is the fastest growing segment in the market, accounting for 8% of working gas capacities worldwide and 25% of daily withdrawal capacity. The segment grew by 10% in 2013.