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What we do

We manage the UK seabed out to the 12 nautical mile territorial sea limit and, under the 2008 Energy Act, hold the rights for gas storage within the gas importation and storage zone (GISZ), which extends out to the continental shelf.

Overview
The leasing process

Overview

Offshore natural gas storage has been taking place within UK waters, in the Rough field, since 1983. By 2015, capacity is likely to be around twice the present capacity. Forecasts of the capacity required by 2020 to ensure security of gas supply during peak demand winter months vary widely, but a value of around four times current developed capacity is not unreasonable.

Government policy is to promote more offshore storage to assist with security of supply. Developers of offshore projects need to be aware that both a storage licence (from DECC) and a storage lease (from us) are required, as set out in the 2008 Energy Act. Effectively this requirement separates the regulatory and proprietary roles.