Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Facility is Open

Three years after construction began, the Kenai Peninsula's first commercial natural gas facility opens up

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: May 31, 2012 at 6:51 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Jun 1, 2012 at 10:19 AM AKDT

KENAI - It’s been nearly three years since Cook Inlet Natural Gas Storage Alaska began construction on its facility, and now it’s finally up and running.

“Any of these electric suppliers, providers, or suppliers here could potentially benefit from this facility,” said Project Manager Richard Gentges.

Kenai is now home to the state's first commercial natural gas storage facility. It’s underground and costs $165 million.

“It’s about 5,000 feet deep, the longest wells measure about 10-11,000 feet in total length,” Gentges said.

Its main purpose is to supply companies in Southcentral Alaska because right now, demand exceeds supply.

“Since the gas production cannot keep up with the demand, what we're doing here is supplementing the gas supply,” said Ed Scarpace, another CINGSA project manager.

According to CINGSA, workers will drill 5,000 feet below the Kenai River from May to October and will inject and compress 43 million cubic feet of gas every day. That’s just a third of how much gas the unit can store. The average household uses about 124 cubic feet of gas.

“Keeping it stored at times, during the summer to take it out during high demand in the winter,” said Scarpace, explaining the core need for the facility.

Operators said it's just one effort to help keep Alaskans from going cold or being in the dark.
 

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