What is the Saltfleetby Gas Field?


Computer generated image of Saltfleetby site

The Saltfleetby Gas Field is a naturally occurring reservoir of gas almost a mile and a half below the surface of land between Saltfleetby and South Somercotes and to the west of Skidbrooke. It is made of porous rock which allows gas to flow through it and is topped by many layers of solid rock that seal in the gas.

It has held gas naturally for millions of years and since 1999, gas has been taken out of it to provide fuel for homes and businesses. This is done by drilling well bores down into the reservoir and letting the gas come to the surface under its own pressure. The gas is then fed through a pipeline to Theddlethorpe and into the UK’s national gas grid.

What is happening now?

Today, the natural gas at Saltfleetby is beginning to run out and WINGAS Storage UK is now proposing to change the use of the reservoir from production to storage — in short, the reservoir will be topped back up with natural gas which can be used at times of high demand for energy, usually in winter.

The change of use requires the installation of a new plant near the current well sites, the drilling of new wells and the laying of new pipelines to supplement the ones that already feed the gas produced at Saltfleetby into Britain’s gas supply.

A full environmental impact assessment of the development has been undertaken and this will accompany WINGAS Storage UK’s application to the DBERR for a Storage Authorisation Order. The Lincolnshire County Council will be closely involved in this application and be in receipt of all details regarding the proposed project.

Who is being consulted?

WINGAS Storage UK is consulting a number of groups, local residents, District and Parish Councils, Lincolnshire County Council, the Health & Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and others set out in the full application.

The applicant seeks consent to operate a gas storage facility and this includes application for deemed pollution control consent, hazardous substance consent and planning consent.

How long will it take?

2006

Conceptual design

2007/2008

Environmental Impact Assessment
Local consultation and approval process
Submission of application for planning consent
Completion of the detailed design
After planning consent, construction of the facility begins

2009/2010

Laying of an additional pipeline to Theddlethorpe
Drilling of additional wells
Construction of facility

2011

Injection of gas into reservoir
Underground storage in operation

Saltfleetby Gas Field

Cross section of the Saltfleetby Gas Field and the proposed compression plant site

Saltfleetby Gas Storage Project

Formal Submission of Proposals
for a Gas Storage Authorisation Order for the Saltfleetby Gas Field under Section 4 of the Gas Act 1965
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Statement of Community Involvement
Proposed Gas Storage Facility Saltfleetby
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Non-Technical Summary
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