Bergermeer gas storage
Encyclopedia
The Bergermeer gas storage is a planned underground natural gas storage
in the Alkmaar
region north of Amsterdam
in the Netherlands. When constructed, it would be one of the largest gas storages in Europe.
—the export unit of Gazprom
—was contracted to supply the project's cushion gas in exchange for gas storage services and a participating interest in operations of the facility. The final investment decision was made in October 2009. Assuming all permits are obtained, construction will start in mid 2010 with drilling of the 14 new wells expected to start in 2011. Commercial operations will start due to resistance of local city councils in 2014 at the earliest.
), Energie Beheer Nederland
(EBN), Dyas B.V.
and Suncor. The facility will be operated by TAQA Energy.
, Heiloo
and Schermer
and the town of Alkmaar. The area has known a number of (man) induced earthquakes during the depletion of the field between 1994 and 2008, with subsequent higher magnitudes on the Richter scale. Scientists from a number of renowned scientific institutes such as KNMI, MIT and TNO are comfortable with an estimated maximum magnitude of 3,9 on the Richter scale, with a chance of occurrence of 2% over the concession period. Earthquakes with lower magnitude but still quite damaging are of a much higher likelihood.
Natural gas storage
Natural gas, like many other commodities, can be stored for an indefinite period of time in natural gas storage facilities for later consumption.- Usage :...
in the Alkmaar
Alkmaar
Alkmaar is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands, in the province of Noord Holland. Alkmaar is well known for its traditional cheese market. For tourists, it is a popular cultural destination.-History:...
region north of Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
in the Netherlands. When constructed, it would be one of the largest gas storages in Europe.
Technical features
The gas storage will use a depleted gas reservoir. The working volume of the gas storage will be 4.1 billion cubic meters (bcm) and a volume of cushion gas would be 4.6 bcm. The gas storage will include 14 new wells to a depth of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi), 35 kilometres (21.7 mi) of pipeline and the gas treatment facility. The gas treatment and compression facilities are being designed as a zero-emissions plant. The project is expected to cost €800 million excluding the cost of cushion gas. In August 2009, Gazprom ExportGazprom Export
Gazprom Export LLC. is a Russian company founded in 1973, the leading exporter of natural gas in the world, supplying Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States. It is a 100% subsidiary of Gazprom. Gazprom Export's gas is mostly shipped by pipelines. Gazprom Export has a monopoly on gas...
—the export unit of Gazprom
Gazprom
Open Joint Stock Company Gazprom is the largest extractor of natural gas in the world and the largest Russian company. Its headquarters are in Cheryomushki District, South-Western Administrative Okrug, Moscow...
—was contracted to supply the project's cushion gas in exchange for gas storage services and a participating interest in operations of the facility. The final investment decision was made in October 2009. Assuming all permits are obtained, construction will start in mid 2010 with drilling of the 14 new wells expected to start in 2011. Commercial operations will start due to resistance of local city councils in 2014 at the earliest.
Project company
The Bergermeer project consortium consists of TAQA Energy B.V. (a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Energy CompanyAbu Dhabi National Energy Company
The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company, PJSC is a government controlled energy holding company of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates....
), Energie Beheer Nederland
Energie Beheer Nederland
Energie Beheer Nederland B.V. is a natural gas exploration, production, transportation and sale company owned by the Dutch Government. It has also an interest in the gas sales company GasTerra. EBN is involved in the development of the Bergermeer gas storage project. It investigates also the...
(EBN), Dyas B.V.
Dyas
Dyas is an oil and gas company headquartered in Utrecht, the Netherlands. It is wholly owned subsidiary of SHV Holdings NV. Dyas participates as a partner in oil and gas exploration, development and production joint ventures...
and Suncor. The facility will be operated by TAQA Energy.
Environmental constraints
A number of scientific reports however show that gas storage might bring about serious seismic hazard to the surrounding municipalities of BergenBergen, North Holland
Bergen is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Its North Sea beaches make it a popular destination for tourists, especially Germans. In 2001, the municipality was expanded to include the former municipalities of Egmond and Schoorl.Since about 1900, Bergen...
, Heiloo
Heiloo
Heiloo is a municipality and town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. The community is part of the cooperation region Kennemerland and is located in the historical region of West Friesland....
and Schermer
Schermer
Schermer is a municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. The name came from "skir mere", which means "bright lake" Schermer (West Frisian: Skirmare) is a municipality in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. The name came from "skir mere", which means "bright...
and the town of Alkmaar. The area has known a number of (man) induced earthquakes during the depletion of the field between 1994 and 2008, with subsequent higher magnitudes on the Richter scale. Scientists from a number of renowned scientific institutes such as KNMI, MIT and TNO are comfortable with an estimated maximum magnitude of 3,9 on the Richter scale, with a chance of occurrence of 2% over the concession period. Earthquakes with lower magnitude but still quite damaging are of a much higher likelihood.