The JSC Conexus Baltic Grid is the only natural gas transmission and storage operator in Latvia. The company ensures the transmission and storage of natural gas for customers in Latvia, Estonia, Russia, and Lithuania. Transmission The company owns 1191 km of gas transmission pipelines supplying the regions of Latvia and connecting Latvia to Russia, Estonia, and Lithuania, as well as one cross-border gas metering station in Korneti on the interconnection with Russia and 40 gas regulation stations (GRS) taking natural gas to the distribution system. Latvia received its first natural gas in 1962, while the peak consumption – 3 billion m3 – was registered in 1991. By now the transmission system has been substantially upgraded, gas pipelines undergo regular internal diagnostics, and all GRS are either newly installed or fully reconstructed. Storage The Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (UGS) Facility is the only functioning gas storage facility in the Baltic States, which ensures the stability of regional natural gas supply. During the summer season, when the consumption of natural gas is many times lower than during the colder months, natural gas is injected into the storage facility so as to be available for supply during the heating season to customers in Latvia, Estonia, north-western Russia, and Lithuania. The Inčukalns UGS has been in operation since 1968. Now the storage holds 4.445 billion m3 of natural gas, 2.3 billion m3 of which is active gas, i.e., available for regular injection and withdrawal. Since early 2000s the storage has seen substantial investments resulting in an improved safety and increased maximum daily capacities.
