Our history
Engas evolution over time
The prospection of the Golianovo site dates to the early 1970's with 9 drillings and proficient historical analysis. In 2000 Engas added one new drilling, refurbished three original drillings, built a heating plant in Nitra and a gas pipeline to connect to it. Low calorific value gas with high CO2 content was used to heat the eastern part of the city. At that time reduction of energy consumption by rebuilding the heat distribution network and improving the isolation was more in focus than CO2 emission.
Adapting to geopolitics
Gas production was just the initial step to prepare the structure for fast and cost optimized conversion in a gas storage facility. In 2007 a sizable 3D-seismic analysis was conducted, and a gas storage facility designed together with Gazprom experts. The plan never materialised; geopolitics had changed. Until 2022 Engas produced and supplied minor amounts of low calorific value gas in ever volatile energy markets. The gas price hikes in early 2022 brough new incentives, geological re-work of a wider area was finalised and a prospection drilling executed.
A new vision
On such basis, mining licenses were substantially enlarged. Anticipating the daunting future to produce low calorific value gas, Engas prepared for the use of the structure for permanent storage of CO2 used for cushion gas building for the underground gas storage. The licensing process was completed in February 2024.
ENGAS underground storage always contained higher amounts CO2, making it safe for storage by default
CCS for the future
Today, the focus is exclusively on CCS. Based on licensed CO2 use for the UGS gas cushion building, geological documents are edited, and applications prepared to comply with EU regulations as implemented by Slovak Law 258/2011, as well as Law 414/2012 for the issuance of ETS certificates.