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What is natural gas storage?
What is natural gas storage?Crisscrossing the US is an intricate network of interstate pipelines that move natural gas to the homes, businesses and industries that use it to fuel their energy needs. Natural gas storage, usually geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs located thousands of feet beneath the ground surface, takes natural gas from this network of pipelines, temporarily stores the gas until it’s needed and then returns it back to the pipelines that feed it to natural gas markets. Learn more.
Why do we need natural gas storage?A recent study shows that demand for natural gas has risen 24% in the last 20 years, while the capacity to store natural gas has increased only 4%. At the same time, the price of natural gas is highly volatile and susceptible to peak loads (periods when demand outstrips the supply). As a result, there is a critical need for new high-speed storage facilities with the capacity to meet demand for natural gas, provide a predictable supply and manage price volatility. Learn more.
What is Tricor Ten Section Hub?Tricor Ten Section Hub will provide safe, clean-burning natural gas storage services to the interstate natural gas system in the Western region of the US. When completed, this storage facility will serve an ever-growing market for firm and interruptible storage services for our customers. Tricor Ten Section will also provide a secure energy supply and greater access to clean natural gas for household use, power generation and industrial demand. Learn more.
Who owns and operates Tricor Ten Section Hub?Tricor Ten Section Hub is owned and operated by Tricor Energy, LLC a ranked CIPA independent energy company engaged in the production, development, acquisition, use and exploration of crude oil and natural gas. One of California’s top 20 independent producers, Tricor Energy brings over 30 years of experience in the natural gas industry. Learn more.
How long has this project been in development?The project dates back to 1936, the year Shell Oil Company first discovered and explored the gas and oil field known then as Ten Section. Tricor Energy purchased Ten Section, by then a depleted reservoir, in 1997. The site has been under our stewardship ever since. Learn more.
How is this natural gas storage facility different than others?Most natural gas storage facilities in this region provide constrained access to natural gas that falls short of meeting energy needs and offers little protection against price volatility. The majority of natural gas storage facilities also offer only one injection/withdrawal cycle per year; usually taking and storing gas during the summer months and moving it back into the pipeline system during winter months when demand is greatest. This also limits access and supply and contributes to volatile prices.
Who are your customers?Tricor Ten Section Hub will meet the energy needs of customers in the gas marketing, distribution, transmission and production industries, as well as utilities and electric power generators.
Where is Tricor Ten Section Hub located?Tricor Ten Section Hub is strategically located in Kern County, on 2,500 acres of private land owned by Tricor Energy, 12 miles southwest of Bakersfield. Tricor Ten Section Hub is centrally positioned at the backbone of interstate and intrastate pipeline systems with 4.0 bcf/pd of pipeline capacity surrounding it. View maps.
How big is the storage facility?Tricor Ten Section Hub is a 32.5 billion-cubic-foot (Bcf) storage field located about 8,000 feet beneath the ground. See fact sheet.
Where will the pipelines be installed?Tricor Energy has selected a header pipeline route that avoids wetlands and bodies of water, canals and irrigation, natural habitats and sensitive plant life. The majority of the pipelines will be installed two to five feet underground, on right of ways and agricultural land. All land will be restored to its former use once construction has been completed.
What are you doing to ensure the safety of the project?Like all natural gas storage used in interstate commerce, Tricor Ten Section Hub is and will continue to be regulated by federal agencies which closely monitor our adherence to stringent safety and environmental standards. Learn more.
What will be the environmental impact of this project?Tricor Energy has worked closely with regulatory agencies, scientists and experts to assess and mitigate the environmental impact of the project. Tricor Ten Section Hub is being designed and constructed in a way that minimizes the impact on the surrounding environment, land, water bodies, wildlife and plant life. Learn more.
What is the impact on landowners and agricultural land?Tricor Energy is committed to partnering with local farmers and agricultural agencies to preserve continued agricultural use of the land where pipeline will be installed. This includes excavating the appropriate depth for trenches, protecting soil quality, maintaining water flow in crop irrigation systems, maintaining access to fields, structures and storage areas during construction, building fences to contain livestock when necessary, and making improvements to fences, drain tiles and other facilities disturbed during construction. Learn more.
What government agencies are you working with on this project?Tricor Energy has collaborated with numerous government and regulatory agencies to conduct surveys and assessments, monitor our adherence to environmental and safety standards and keep our community informed. Those agencies include the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), US Fish and Wildlife Services, US Army Corps of Engineers and US Environmental Protection Agency. We’re also partnering with local agencies including the Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources, the State Historic Preservation Office, the California Department of Fish and Game and the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution District.
How will the project impact the local economy?Tricor expects to spend well in excess of $100 million on construction materials, much of which will be purchased locally. Once in service, Tricor Energy estimates to pay approximately $1 million in annual wages to local workers, who will in turn invest those earnings back into local businesses, goods and services. Tricor also estimates that the project will generate approximately $1.8 million in state tax revenue.
How can I contact you?Phone: (949) 679-4211
Where can I find information on your Federal Energy Regulatory Commission application and regulatory documents?Please visit our FERC page. |
