Haidach gas storage is an underground natural gas storage in the town of Haidach near Salzburg, Austria. It is the second largest gas storage facility in Central Europe.[1]
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In 1997, Rohöl-Aufsuchungs Aktiengesellschaft (RAG) discovered the Haidach gas reservoir holding a total gas in place of 4.3 billion cubic meters (bcm).[2] After depletion of the reservoir, it was planned to convert into a gas storage. The contract for use of the Haidach reservoir as a storage for natural gas was signed between RAG, Wingas and Gazprom Export on 13 May 2005.[3] Construction works started in 2005.[2] The gas storage started officially operating on on 24 May 2007.[1]
Haidach underground gas storage uses depleted Haidach porous sandstone gas reservoir at a depth of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft).[2] The operating capacity of the gas storage in the first phase is 1.2 bcm. In April 2011, after completing the second phase, the operating capacity would be doubled.[1] The gas storage is connected to the Austrian and German gas grids at Burghausen/Überackern through the 39 kilometres (24 mi) long Austria-Bavaria gas pipeline (ABG).[2]
The construction of the first stage cost €250 millions.[1]
Haidach gas storage is a joint project of RAG, Wingas and Gazprom Export. It is operated by Austrian energy company EVN.[1]