PURPOSE OF UNDERGROUND STORAGE

Natural gas production is constant throughout the year, except for emergency shut-ins, which are usually due to the weather. Natural gas usage, on the other hand, is cyclic, with peak usage in the winter; consequently, storage is the only practical way to meet peak demands and avoid shortages for consumers. Gas is stored during low usage periods, helping gas pipeline companies maintain high levels of throughput efficiency. Then, in peak usage periods or during emergency production shut-ins caused by events like hurricanes and cold weather, gas is withdrawn from storage to supplement production.