Centrica’s application to reopen the Rough gas storage facility was welcomed by energy observers, but some have raised questions over the site’s safety and effectiveness. Energy Voice reports

Amid soaring gas prices, the UK’s lack of meaningful storage capacity has long been lamented by energy market observers, policymakers and politicians. Chief amongst their complaints is the closure of the Rough gas storage site off the Yorkshire coast in 2017.

The facility – comprising two offshore platforms on the Rough gas field (47/3 Bravo and 47/8 Alpha) linked to a gas processing terminal at Easington – previously accounted for 70% of the country’s gas storage but was shuttered by operator Centrica Storage as running costs became too expensive to justify without support.

The government’s decision not to intervene was flagged at the time as a potential strategic oversight – and could even now threaten the fortune of Tory leadership hopeful Liz Truss, who was recently questioned over her role in the process during her time at the Treasury. (Ms Truss’ campaign has denied her involvement in the decision.)

Centrica’s initial request to reopen the facility in June was therefore welcomed by policymakers and market observers alike as a key tool in offering flexibility and security in the face of ever-rising gas prices, and reports have suggested the storage site could be operational as early as the start of September.

Under current permits the company would be allowed to operate a capacity of 28 billion cubic feet (0.8 billion cubic metres) over this winter and 59 bcf (1.6 bcm) during winter 2023/24.