Currently, the Wierzchowice storage facility can hold 575 million cubic metres. Following the completion of the first stage of works in 2012, the storage capacity will increase to 1.2 billion cubic metres and following the completion of the second stage of works in 2015, it should reach ca. 2 billion cubic metres. Depending on the domestic natural gas demand, the target storage capacity of the Wierzchowice facility may reach ca. 3.6 billion cubic metres.

In October 2008, PGNiG awarded the contract to expand the Wierzchowice storage facility to a consortium composed of PBG SA (Poland), Tecnimont S.P.A. (Italy), Société Française d'Etudes et de Réalisations d'Equipements Gaziers "SOFREGAZ" (France) and Plynostav Pardubice Holding A.S., Plynostav Regulace Plynu A.S. (Czech Republic). The net value of the contract signed on 19 November 2008 is PLN 1.09 billion (ca. PLN 1.33 billion gross). The contract is to be implemented by the consortium by 18 November 2011.

The company plans to increase its total natural gas storage capacity to 3.8 billion cubic metres in 2015. The expansion and construction of underground storage facilities is one of the key elements in the PGNiG Capital Group 2015 strategy, next to increasing natural gas production and diversifying imports. The increased storage capacity will translate to improved national energy security.

Joanna Zakrzewska
Spokesperson for PGNiG SA