Natural Gas Storage

By Dan McVey, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer — Gas Operations

Did you know we store natural gas underground for future consumption? Storage fields (or depleted gas reservoirs) are the most prominent and common form of underground storage. They are typically natural gas wells that have produced all their economically recoverable gas and are readily capable of holding injected natural gas.

Using depleted production wells has proven to be economically attractive because start-up cost is lower when taking advantage of existing associated infrastructure such as pipeline systems and equipment. Depleted reservoirs are also attractive because their geological and physical characteristics are well known.

The Energy Cooperative uses three on-system storage fields to balance the seasonal requirements of natural gas for our members. The three storage fields are Perry, Zane and Muskie. Their capacity is 2 bcf (billion cubic feet) which can supply up to one-half of our system needs on a cold winter day. Our Zane and Perry fields were developed in the mid 1950’s primarily to meet the seasonal needs of our increased residential load during that time.

Residential and commercial natural gas use continued to grow through the 60’s and 70’s and contributed to the need for the Muskie storage field beginning in 1973. The cooperative’s three gas storage fields are close to our pipeline infrastructure which also helps control the cost of transporting the product to our members.

Typically, these facilities run on a single annual cycle; natural gas is injected during the off-peak summer months when demand is low and is withdrawn during the winter months of peak demand. This cycle allows us to buy natural gas when it when it is in low demand securing both the supply and price for our members.

We closely monitor our withdrawal and injection cycles year-round to provide our members with reliable natural gas supply.

Natural Gas Safety Tips

What YOU can do to stay safe

Energy Cooperative is committed to providing safe and reliable energy to our members with highly responsive service consistent with Cooperative principles.

If you suspect a gas leak, walk away.

Leave the area immediately. Call 911. Then contact Energy Cooperative immediately at 1-800-255-6815.

• Don’t try to stop or repair the leak yourself or use anything that might create a spark.

• Avoid using potential ignition sources such as cell phones, doorbells, electric switches or motor vehicles.

• Never try to extinguish a gas fire or operate any pipeline valves.

Be prepared for gas leaks in the home.

• Practice safety drills for getting your family out of the house at night before an emergency occurs.

• Don’t turn lights on or off.

• Don’t light matches or cigarette lighters.

• Don’t use a flashlight or cell phone because an electric spark might ignite the gas.

• Plan what you’re going to do and move slowly and carefully.

Locate Pipeline Markers

The natural gas transmission, gathering and distribution pipelines we operate and maintain are mostly not visible to the public. The pipelines are buried below ground in our right-of-way. The approximate locations of our pipelines are identified by pipeline markers that are placed within the right-of-way. In accordance with federal regulations, our pipelines are patrolled on a regular basis to inspect for any leakage, corrosion problems, encroachment, etc. Some segments along our pipelines have been designated as “high consequence areas.” We have developed supplemental assessments and prevention plans for these highly populated areas that are near our pipelines’ right-of-way.

Look at the National Pipeline Mapping System

Our transmission pipelines are located within four Ohio counties – Licking, Muskingum, Noble and Perry. The pipelines are a safe and reliable source of moving natural gas within our system. The pipelines are not visible because they are buried within our right-of-way. The pipelines are patrolled and surveyed on a routine basis for leakage, corrosion and encroachment problems, etc. To view our transmission pipeline system go to https://npms.phmsa.dot.gov.