At a length of over 360,000 kilometres in Germany alone, Europe’s extensive pipeline network makes it possible to deliver natural gas to end customers’ homes. Every 100 km-200 km, compressor stations regulate the pressure in the pipeline so as to control the speed of the flow. 

Gas consumption fluctuates all the time. Just the difference between daytime and night-time demand can be significant. In countries that require more heating in winter than in summer, demand also increases considerably during the winter. Gas storage facilities are used to balance out these fluctuations in consumption. They guarantee that the supply of natural gas will be stable, secure, and demand-compliant – particularly when that demand is high. 

Gas storage facilities are constructed at depths of between 1,000 and 3,000 metres in depleted natural gas fields or leached-out underground salt caverns.