InfraStrata Applies to Expand NI Storage
UK-based InfraStrata, which has yet to take a final investment decision on its up-to-eight caverns storage project in Northern Ireland, has applied for a permit to expand the project.
It said December 18 that it has lodged an application with the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland for an additional Mineral Prospecting Licence in respect of its Islandmagee gas storage project, covering adjacent land extending from Ballylumford Road through to Browns Bay.
"If successful, this application may facilitate the development of an additional 15 gas storage caverns in addition to the eight already planned and approved for the project," it said. Engineering consultancy Atkins has already been engaged to provide a concept development study on developing the additional 15 caverns and will issue its report in 2Q 2019.
InfraStrata's study last month estimated that developing eight caverns totalling 0.45bn m3 of working gas storage capacity (56.25mn m3 each) would cost a total of £265mn ($340mn).
The banner photo shows an artist's impression of how the Islandmagee storage facility would look, courtesy of InfraStrata