E.ON's gas storage project at Holford has reached a major construction and commissioning milestone with the first gas being introduced into the underground storage caverns.

The project is on track for commercial operations of the first caverns to begin towards the end of 2011, with the remaining caverns becoming commercially available to store gas by 2013.

Gas will be injected into each cavern over a four month long process which sees the gas replace the brine created by the solution mining process. Once the conversion process is completed, the caverns will become commercially available for the flexible storage of natural gas.

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Commenting on the progress being made Mike Cooper, Holford Project Manager, E.ON Gas Storage UK, said: "The need for increased gas storage in the UK is well documented and Holford will have a crucial role to play in the UK's energy infrastructure. Not only have we a highly skilled team here on-site already but we are able to draw on the considerable knowledge of E.ON Gas Storage who have over 30 years experience in the development and operation of salt cavity gas storage across Europe."

The onsite gas processing plant commenced commissioning in early 2011. Work will continue to fully prepare the underground storage caverns ahead of first commercial operations towards the end of 2011.

(CD)