Belarusian UGS capacity to increase nearly 1.5-fold by 2040
MINSK. July 10 (Interfax) - JSC Gazprom Transgaz Belarus (100% owned by PJSC Gazprom ) plans to increase underground gas storage (UGS) capacity in Belarus by 500 million cubic meters to 1.64 bcm by 2040, the company's general director, Vladimir Mayorov, said in an article published in the Gas Industry magazine.
"By 2040, the overall UGS system of JSC Gazprom Transgaz Belarus plans to achieve the following indicators through expansion of the Mozyr UGS facility: operational gas reserve volume - 1.64 billion cubic meters (+500 million vs. current); maximum daily gas withdrawal capacity - 39 million cubic meters (+5 million)", Mayorov and his co-authors from the company said.
UGS volume will thus grow 43.8%, while daily withdrawal capacity will increase 14.7%.
The planned capacity expansion will be achieved through development of the Mozyr UGS facility (Gomel region), commissioned in 2008. According to the technological development plan for Mozyr UGS, the first stage involves expanding its capacity from 360 million to 860 million cubic meters and increasing maximum daily withdrawal from 20 to 25 million cubic meters. "Furthermore, a second development stage within existing mining allotments is planned to reach 1.1 billion cubic meters of operational reserves. An assessment has been conducted for a potential third expansion stage to achieve 1.86 billion cubic meters of operational gas reserves," they said.
The article highlights the relevance of increasing UGS capacity given uneven domestic gas consumption patterns and the need to maintain transit supplies to Russia's Kaliningrad region. "The operational characteristics of Mozyr UGS, along with its geographical location, enable its use not only for regulating Belarus's gas supply but also for managing peak demand in Russia's Northwestern Federal District," they said.
In addition, Belarus maintains seasonal gas consumption fluctuations despite reduced imports from Russia following the commissioning of the Belarusian NPP. "Importantly, after connecting the NPP's second power unit to the national grid in 2023, actual gas consumption reduction with both units operating year-round reached only 2.5 billion cubic meters (2024) - half the expected 4.5-5 billion cubic meters. Seasonal consumption variability persists, making UGS system development crucial for maintaining supply reliability," Gazprom Transgaz Belarus said.
Currently, Gazprom Transgaz Belarus operates three UGS facilities with a total capacity of 1.14 bcm and daily withdrawal of 34 million cubic meters: Osipovichi (310 million and 6 million, respectively), Pribugskoye (470 million/8 million) and Mozyr (360 million/20 million). The first two utilize aquifers, while Mozyr uses salt caverns. Base-load facilities Osipovichi and Pribugskoye operate cyclical injection/withdrawal cycles, whereas the Mozyr UGS typically remains on standby, activating during times of increased demand for gas in conditions of severe cold weather.
By 2025, the operational UGS reserve equals about 6% of Belarus's total gas consumption, covering up to 50% of seasonal demand fluctuations. The remainder is managed through gas transmission capacities located in Russia.
