Annual Maintenance Summary

“Each year we take the Stublach Gas Storage Plant offline for intrusive maintenance that cannot be completed when the plant is operational due to the presence of high-pressure natural gas. We start planning these full plant shutdowns a year in advance to identify the work needed, order materials and reserve specialist contractors.

This year we took 3 days to remove the flammable gas from the plant and pipelines and purge the pipework using large quantities of vaporised liquid nitrogen. We then introduced air into these systems allowing maintenance work to proceed safely.

In future years this plant preparation process will take a little longer, as during this shutdown we have done the enabling work to allow a new gas recovery compressor to be installed later in the year. This new compressor will have the huge benefit of reducing the amount of natural gas vented to atmosphere up to 90%. Taking a major step towards Storengy UK’s ambition to be Net Zero by 2025

For our shutdowns we rely on a complex ecosystem of specialist contractors from across the world to supply materials and experienced Engineers to complete the necessary maintenance, inspection, and testing of our gas plant. This year there were 30 separate contracting organisations delivering the shutdown activities, along with our own internal highly skilled Operations Team. 160 work orders were completed, along with 13 separate significant site modifications – all within an 8-day maintenance window.

To return the gas plant to commercial operation, it took 3 days to carefully reintroduce gas, ensuring there are no leaks. We are pleased that, as in previous years, this year’s shutdown was completed on time, allowing our customers to resume their commercial operations. This is credit to the dedicated team involved in the preparation and execution of the shutdown.

Following a detailed ‘Learnt Lessons’ review, the planning for the 2023 maintenance shutdown will commence in the very near future.”

Phil Morris – Engineering and Maintenance Manager