- The gas storage must be maintained as the caverns have shrunk naturally since it was established in the 1980s. The maintenance is crucial in order to safeguard the continued function and role of the storage facility in security of supply in the coming years when natural gas production in the Danish part of the North Sea will decline and gradually be replaced by imported natural gas. This increases the need to store gas in the immediate vicinity of the consumers. At the same time, the maintenance is necessary for reasons of safety so that the storage facility can meet expected future demands, says Leif Hansen, Head of Lille Torup Gas Storage Facility, Energinet.dk.

From 1 November 2011 and one year ahead, Energinet.dk expects to complete a pilot project  involving one releach of one of the seven existing caverns.
- We think it is a good idea that the authorities in their project approval have adopted a precautionary approach as regards the environment, and therefore we will carry out a pilot project before we implement the entire project, says Leif Hansen.

- During the public authorities' treatment of the project it has been essential for us to maintain a high information level and have a dialogue with fishermen, environmental organisations, municipalities and citizens with an interest in the case. We want transparency about the project and its impact on the environment. Therefore we continue the dialogue with the stakeholders when the project is launched, says Leif Hansen.