Natural Gas Storage Facilities: Strategic Infrastructure and EPCC Projects for Energy Security

Underground natural gas storage plays a strategic role, ensuring supply during periods of high demand—especially in winter—as well as in exceptional situations such as natural disasters or other unforeseen events. In recent years, amid ongoing changes in the energy sector, these systems have become essential for maintaining the balance between supply and demand. They contribute to the stable operation of distribution networks and help protect consumers during critical moments, while also providing governments with an effective tool for rapid intervention.

The development of such capacities requires collaboration with specialized contractors and involves highly complex, integrated projects. Choosing a partner with relevant experience in energy infrastructure is a key factor in the success of these investments. Projects of this nature require a comprehensive approach covering all stages—from engineering and procurement to construction and commissioning (EPCC).

Bilciurești Storage Facility – Critical Infrastructure for Romania’s Energy System

The natural gas dehydration station for Group 145 Bilciurești in Romania is part of an important project for the development of the natural gas storage system, aimed at increasing the daily extraction capacity from 14 million Smc/day to 20 million Smc/day, entitled “Increasing the daily extraction capacity within the Bilciurești Storage Facility”.

This investment responds to the need for operational flexibility and increased response capacity of the national energy system, especially during periods of high consumption, such as the winter months.

The completion of the Gas Drying Station – Group 145 Bilciurești represented an important step for strengthening Romania’s energy security and is part of the surface installations of the largest natural gas storage facility in Romania. It is among the Top 30 largest storage facilities in Europe and can ensure, under winter conditions, 20% of the daily natural gas requirement of the entire country, having an active storage capacity of 1310 million Smc – representing 44% of our country’s storage capacity. The new drying station, having a maximum operating pressure of 45 bar and a daily flow of 5 million Smc, replaces three drying stations, ensuring a reduction in energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

By modernizing the existing infrastructure and integrating high-performance technologies, the project contributes not only to increasing efficiency, but also to alignment with European standards regarding sustainability and environmental protection. The total value of the investment in the Natural Gas Drying Station – Group 145 Bilciurești was EUR 7.6 million and was carried out exclusively through the financial effort of S.N.G.N. ROMGAZ S.A., as part of an ambitious annual investment program worth over 10 million euros.

Projects of this type involve the delivery of integrated solutions, which include compression installations, gas drying stations, measurement and control systems, as well as infrastructure for connection to transport systems. Their efficient implementation depends on the contractor’s ability to coordinate complex processes and comply with strict safety and performance standards.

Through projects such as Bilciurești, INSPET strengthens its position as a general contractor in energy infrastructure, with full capabilities in delivering EPCC projects for natural gas storage facilities and complex technological installations. The experience accumulated enables the company to manage large-scale projects in conditions of safety, efficiency and predictability. This investment reflects the constant commitment to the development of national energy infrastructure and to ensuring a robust system, capable of responding to current and future challenges.

The project is part of the Priority Corridor North-South Gas Interconnections in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe (“NSI East Gas”) and was included on the 5th List of Projects of Common Interest at European Union level, under the name “6.20.7 – Bilciurești underground gas storage”. The integration into this European initiative underlines the strategic importance of the project not only at national, but also at regional level, contributing to the interconnection and energy security of Europe.

INSPET S.A. supervised the entire activity, prepared and reported the execution schedules of the works and estimated delivery deadlines in real time; it implemented and permanently monitored compliance with occupational safety and health measures, and monitored the progress of the works during the warranty period granted.

Through its involvement, INSPET ensured compliance with the highest standards of quality, safety and efficiency in the execution of the project, contributing to the delivery of reliable and durable infrastructure. The designed and executed works consisted of civil works: masonry constructions and metal structures, foundations for machinery and equipment, arrangement of the station sites (ballasting and compaction), external and internal roads; mechanical works: installation of surface and underground machinery and equipment, installation of technological pipelines, including the related valves; electrical works: installation of equipment and electrical cables; automation works: installation of equipment, measuring and control instruments, cables for data, signal and information transmission, safety and security equipment of the station, etc.

The experience that makes the difference in natural gas storage facility projects

In the field of natural gas storage, practical experience in similar projects is a decisive factor. The ability to manage technical risks, meet deadlines and deliver projects to international standards is essential for beneficiaries – whether we are talking about national operators, developers or investors in the energy sector.

The complexity of these works reflects the high level of technical expertise required for the implementation of such projects, as well as the capacity to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering processes. The execution of the works required the mobilization of a workforce with very different specializations: from masons and reinforced concrete workers, to welders and mechanics, electricians, automation specialists and software programmers – all highly qualified, in order to meet the Beneficiary’s contractual requirements regarding the quality of the works. This diversity of skills highlights the complexity of the project and the importance of collaboration among specialists for the realization of modern, safe and efficient energy infrastructure.

The experience accumulated in complex energy infrastructure projects recommends INSPET as a reliable partner for the development and modernization of natural gas storage facilities.

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