What it is Natural gas, once it has reached the market area, may not always be needed immediately. Therefore gas distribution companies need to store gas for future use to meet either varying seasonal demand (base load storage), or as a strategic reserve (peak load storage) to prevent unforeseen supply disruptions/shortages.

How it works

The gas is usually injected into underground storage facilities usually consisting of depleted oil and gas fields, aquifers or salt caverns located close to the point of gas usage.

There are essentially two types of natural gas storage facilities:

• Base load storage facilities – are used to meet seasonal demand variations. These reservoirs are large in order to provide a prolonged, steady supply of natural gas. Depleted gas reservoirs are the most common type of base load storage facility.
• Peak load storage facilities – are designed to have high delivery capacity for short periods of time, and to insure quick access to meet sudden, short-term increases in demand. These reservoirs are smaller and can be replenished in a shorter time than base load facilities.

While base load facilities have long term injection and withdrawal seasons, turning over the natural gas in the facility about once per year, peak load facilities can have turn over rates as short as a few days or weeks.

The type of compression machinery used in gas storage applications depends on the operating conditions. Centrifugal compressor units driven by gas turbines or electric motors, or reciprocating compressors driven by electric motors or gas engines are commonly selected. Vertically split centrifugal compressors are used for medium and high volumetric rates while reciprocating compressors are used for lower flow rates. High flexibility is required, due to the highly variable suction/discharge pressures and gas flow rates encountered.

GE Oil & Gas Offerings

• Gas Turbine Packages for power generation (10 to 34 MW)
• Mechanical Drive Gas Turbines (10 to 34 MW)
• Compressors (Centrifugal, Reciprocating)
• Compression/Pumping and/or PowerGen packages
• Compression Islands
• Air Cooled Heat Exchangers
• Control & Safety Valves
• Product Installation & Maintenance Services
• Revamps & Rerates
• Contractual Service Agreements
• Technical Training