The project is expected to be in-service by 2028 and will significantly bolster energy reliability and flexibility in the Gulf Coast and Southeast markets.
Enstor Gas, LLC, a leading natural gas storage provider, has announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a "Notice to Proceed with Construction" for its significant Mississippi Hub Expansion Project. This crucial approval paves the way for immediate construction, marking a pivotal step towards substantially increasing the nation's natural gas storage capabilities.
The Mississippi Hub, currently a high-deliverability underground natural gas storage facility situated on the Bond Salt Dome in Simpson County, Mississippi, is set for a dramatic transformation. The expansion project encompasses the addition of three new storage caverns, each boasting an impressive 10 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of working storage capacity. Beyond these new additions, the plan also includes incremental expansions of the hub's existing caverns, optimizing the facility's overall efficiency and capacity.
In total, the Mississippi Hub Expansion Project is poised to add up to 33.5 Bcf of new working gas capacity, along with a significant increase of up to 0.7 million dekatherms per day (MMDth/day) in new injection capacity. Upon the project's completion, the Mississippi Hub's total working gas storage capacity is projected to reach an astounding 56.3 Bcf. This represents an approximate 2.5-fold increase over the facility's current capacity, underscoring the scale and ambition of Enstor's investment. The injection capacity will see a substantial rise to a total of 1.90 MMDth/day, while the withdrawal capacity will remain at its previously certified rate of 2.40 MMDth/day.
This expansion comes at a critical time for the U.S. energy landscape. With the rapid growth of U.S. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exports and the escalating demand for gas-fired power generation across the country, the need for robust and reliable natural gas storage infrastructure has never been more pressing. The Mississippi Hub, strategically located with interconnections to major pipelines such as Southern Natural Gas, Southeast Supply Header, and the Transcontinental Gas Pipeline, is ideally positioned to meet these growing demands. Its enhanced capabilities will provide crucial flexibility and stability to the natural gas supply chain, particularly in periods of price volatility or operational fluctuations.
Enstor's commitment to starting construction immediately highlights the urgency and importance of this project. The company anticipates that the expanded facility will be fully operational and in-service by 2028. This long-term investment is expected to yield substantial benefits beyond energy security.
