Future-Proofing Gas Storage Facilities
GasConvert™ – Integrated Solutions for Modern Gas Storage
With GasConvert™, Pörner combines decades of experience in plant engineering with the expertise of leading Austrian specialists in geoscience, petrophysics and underground gas storage.
The result is a holistic approach to the modernization, optimization and transformation of underground gas storage facilities: from the reservoir and storage wells to compression and gas treatment, energy supply, automation and future hydrogen integration.
Gas Storage Expertise from a Single Source
For more than 30 years, Austrian specialists have been among the most experienced international experts in the assessment and development of underground gas storage facilities. Within GasConvert™, this expertise covers geology, geophysics, petrophysics and geomechanics, as well as dynamic reservoir modelling, well and completion concepts, and the determination and optimization of working gas and cushion gas volumes.
As overall integrator, Pörner complements this specialized subsurface expertise with decades of experience gained from projects in domestic gas production as well as the processing and storage of imported natural gas at Austria’s international gas import hub. This includes the integration of gas compression, dehydration and treatment systems, piping, electrical and automation systems, energy optimization and plant integration, as well as phased implementation during ongoing operations.
Pörner assumes overall responsibility for projects – from initial studies and Pre-FEED through detail engineering and procurement to construction supervision, commissioning and EPC implementation, down to the last detail.
High-Tech Expertise from Austria
GasConvert™ builds particularly on the experience gained from Austria’s highly advanced porous-reservoir storage facilities, all of which are located in depleted natural gas fields. Seven storage sites are currently in operation, with a total technical working gas volume of approximately 8.7 billion Nm³, operated by OMV Gas Storage Austria E&P and RAG Energy Storage Austria. The Schönkirchen-Reyersdorf and Haidach storage facilities are among the largest and most advanced underground gas storage facilities in Europe.
The large storage capacities are provided not only for Austria, but also for customers in neighbouring EU countries. In Austria, hydrogen blending rates of 10 to 20% have been tested. The country also operates the first storage facility for pure hydrogen in an underground porous reservoir.
Pörner has extensive experience in the continuous modernization of Austrian gas production, treatment and storage facilities. Reference projects include the expansion of the production and processing facilities at the Puchkirchen storage facility, including a new gas dehydration unit, as well as the multi-stage revamp of the large Schönkirchen-Reyersdorf gas storage station. There, among other measures, the automation system was modernized while gas injection and withdrawal operations continued.
Technology Overview
Solutions for Existing and Future Gas Storage Facilities
GasConvert™ is used for the modernization, expansion and transformation of underground gas storage facilities. Reservoirs, wells and surface facilities are considered as one integrated overall system.
Typical applications include:
- Revamp and modernization of existing underground gas storage facilities
- Expansion and adaptation of existing storage facilities
- Optimization and further development of porous-reservoir storage facilities
- Technical assessment of existing reservoirs and storage wells
- Adaptation of compression, gas treatment and automation systems
- Integration of new plants and technologies into existing storage infrastructure
- Conversion of existing storage facilities for natural gas-hydrogen blends
- Development of transformation concepts for higher hydrogen concentrations up to dedicated hydrogen storage, where technically feasible
GasConvert™ is suitable both for individual modernization measures and for the phased transformation of complete storage sites.
The Complete Storage System in Focus
The starting point is a site-specific Integrated Storage Check, in which the reservoir, wells, surface facilities and operating strategy are jointly assessed from both a technical and economic perspective.
Subsurface Storage System
The subsurface scope includes:
- Geological, geophysical and reservoir engineering assessment
- Development and updating of static and dynamic reservoir models
- Determination and optimization of working gas and cushion gas volumes
- Simulation of injection and withdrawal cycles as well as seasonal pressure profiles
- Optimization of storage capacity, injectivity and withdrawal performance
- Condition and integrity assessment of wells, casings, cement, tubing, packers and wellheads
- Development of workover, recompletion and new-well options
Operating, monitoring and integrity-management concepts
Surface and Process Facilities
Pörner complements its subsurface expertise with decades of experience in the design and modernization of gas production, treatment and storage facilities.
The scope includes:
- Gas reception facilities, gathering systems and pipeline networks
- Booster, injection and withdrawal compressors
- Optimization of compressor configuration, drives, cooling and redundancy
- Gas separation, dehydration, treatment and conditioning
- Gas quality measurement and fiscal metering
- Power supply and utilities
- Safety and automation systems
- Digital operations and performance monitoring
- Piping, valves, equipment, sealing systems and instrumentation
GasConvert™ acts as an independent engineering partner and systems integrator, technically and economically aligning the subsurface system, wells and surface facilities.
Gas Storage for the Energy Future
GasConvert™ develops an individual transformation pathway for each site, from conventional natural gas operation through defined hydrogen blending stages to high hydrogen concentrations or, where technically feasible, dedicated hydrogen storage.
The assessment includes:
- Hydrogen compatibility of reservoirs and wells
- Suitability of piping, valves, compressors and surface facilities
- Potential hydrogen losses and reactions within the reservoir
- Compression and gas treatment requirements
- Gas quality and metering
- Materials and sealing systems
- Safety and explosion protection concepts
Where an electrolyzer plant is integrated, power supply, hydrogen production, treatment, dehydration, intermediate compression, blending and injection are aligned with the storage capacity and seasonal operating profile.
GasConvert™ combines specialized subsurface expertise with Pörner’s comprehensive plant engineering know-how. This ensures that reservoirs, wells, process facilities and future requirements are aligned at an early project stage.
The benefits:
- Holistic technical and economic assessment of the entire storage system
- Optimum utilization of the available working gas volume
- Higher injection and withdrawal capacity as well as improved plant availability
- Improvement and assurance of the required gas quality
- Reduction of energy consumption and emissions
- Fewer interfaces through one central engineering and integration partner
- Targeted investments based on a site-specific Integrated Storage Check
- Phased modernization during ongoing storage operations
- Integration of internationally experienced OEMs and technology suppliers
- Long-term investment security through preparation for future hydrogen applications
