Haidach gas storage is an underground natural gas storage in the town of Haidach near Salzburg, Austria. As of the end of 2018 with a capacity of ~2.9 billion cubic meters (bcm) it is the third largest (after Rehden with volume of ~4.7bcm and Bergermeer of ~4.5bcm of capacity) gas storage facility in Central Europe.[1]
In 1997, Rohöl-Aufsuchungs Aktiengesellschaft (RAG) discovered the Haidach gas reservoir holding a total gas in place of 4.3 billion cubic meters (bcm). 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.[2] Construction works started in 2005.[3] The gas storage started officially operating on 24 May 2007.[1]
Haidach underground gas storage uses depleted Haidach porous sandstone gas reservoir at a depth of 1600m (5,200feet).[3] 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 39km (24miles) long Austria-Bavaria gas pipeline (ABG).[3]
The construction of the first stage cost €250 millions.[1]
Haidach gas storage is a joint project of RAG,[4] Wingas and Gazprom Export. It is operated by Austrian energy company EVN.[1]