1. Why is it necessary?

The United Kingdom has long enjoyed abundant supplies of natural gas from rich reserves in the North Sea and other locations. However, these reserves are steadily declining, and it has been predicted that Britain will be importing over 50% of its gas by 2010. To manage peaks and troughs in demand, and for security of supply reason, Britain needs somewhere to store this gas, and underground gas storage facilities are the crucial solution.

2. What methods of gas storage are there?

The most popular and least expensive method is to store gas in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs. These naturally occurring stores comprise porous rocks, which have held oil and gas under a cap of impermeable rock for millions of years. The extraction of hydrocarbons therefore leaves a space in the rocks porous structure, (a so-called depleted reservoir), which can be used to store gas.

Aquifers can also be used to store gas. The aquifer method also involves storing the gas in porous rock; it is particularly popular in France, but no aquifers have been used in the UK so far.

Salt cavern storage involves drilling wells in massive salt formations and subsequently injecting water to leach out storage caverns within which gas may be stored.

LNG or liquefied natural gas is a further method of storing gas. It is, however, relatively expensive and most countries that have suitable geological conditions have chosen underground gas storage.

3. Which method has Star Energy chosen?

Star Energy is developing depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs to function as gas storage facilities.

4. How safe is natural gas storage?

Safety is the primary concern in the operation of our business. If the storage of natural gas in depleted oil and gas reservoirs was not safe, Star Energy would not be proposing its development.

5. What is the environmental impact of gas storage?

By design, our gas storage plants have a minimal impact on the environment.

6. What is Star Energy doing to involve local communities in plans for gas storage developments?

Star Energy has always adopted a proactive approach in consulting local people, parish, borough and county councils early in our plans to develop a gas store.

7. What is the Gas Act 1965 and what does it mean for Star Energy?

The Gas Act 1965 (the Act) was passed specifically to allow for the storage of gas in natural porous strata such as depleted reservoirs, and includes provisions for the granting of planning permission to undertake gas storage activities.