Bergermeer gas storage starts selling capacity in the Netherlands

Abu Dhabi National Energy (Taqa) started selling long-term storage capacity at the Bergermeer gas storage facility, in the Netherlands, this week, a company executive told the Flame gas conference

The 4.1 billion cubic metres (bcm) facility is just 20 km from the Balgzand Bacton Line pipeline, so it is not only positioned to supply the German and French gas markets, but it could also be used as proxy storage by UK customers. The Bergermeer site is also expected to double the Netherland’s storage capacity when it starts commercial operations in 2014, and will have an open season to sell capacity until November 2011. Under the open season, 1 billion cm of storage capacity will be available, with the remaining auctioned at a later date. It could result in more liquefied natural gas (LNG) coming to Europe as importers could store gas for later use. “The more gas supply the better, so Gate