Bergermeer Gas Storage Consortium and Gazprom export press ahead with final investment

Notes and media contacts

About Natural Gas Storage
Storing natural gas underground is a long-established practice, with hundreds of facilities safely operating all over the world. The Bergermeer Gas Storage will utilise cutting-edge technology implementing the highest international best practice and safety standards.

The gas proposed for storage in the Bergermeer Gas Storage is processed dry, clean natural gas, which poses no significant documented health risk. The gas will be stored at a depth of 2.5 km, well below the water table and is enclosed by impermeable layers of rock. Since there is no oxygen present in this layer of sandstone, there is no risk of ignition.

Taqa has conducted a series of comprehensive safety studies to confirm the scientific and geologic integrity and viability of the storage reservoir and to ensure public safety. A study by Dutch research institute TNO has found gas storage in the Bergermeer reservoir is safe and also concluded that gas storage will decrease geological risks such as earth tremors.

Cushion gas provides pressure in the reservoir required for commercial storage operations.

The EUR800m investment will provide the Alkmaar region with an economic boost and direct and indirect employment for up to 800 people during the construction phase.The BGS incorporates stringent environmental and safety standards and will include the drilling of 14 new wells to a depth of 3 km, laying 35 km of pipeline and the construction of a gas treatment facility in Alkmaar.



TAQA has set beyond Best-Available-Technology (BAT) as a standard for the project. An example of this is the design of the gas treatment and compression facilities as a Zero Emission plant, which means there will be no emissions to the atmosphere of hydrocarbons or CO2.

About The Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (Taqa)

Founded in 2005, Taqa (Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (PJSC)) is a global energy company with a growing asset base of Dhs90bn ($24.5bn). One of the largest companies listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), with 2008 revenue of more than Dhs16bn ($4.4bn), Taqa is a flagship corporation for the Government of Abu Dhabi.

Taqa's strategic goal is to build and operate a geographically diverse global portfolio of energy businesses across the value chain. It has operations in power generation, water desalination, upstream oil/gas, pipelines, and gas storage.

Taqa employs approximately 2,800 people from 41 different nations and operates from its offices in: Abu Dhabi; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Aberdeen; Amsterdam; Calgary and The Hague. This footprint is further extended through alliances with partners across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, North America and India.



At present there are up to 1,000 people working for Taqa in Europe, located at operational assets or Taqa's four European offices in The Hague, Alkmaar, Amsterdam and Aberdeen.

Taqa carries an Aa2 credit rating from Moody's.

For further information please contact:
Taqa Media Relations
Allan Virtanen
Tel: +31 20 79 75 100

Harald Boersma, Publicis Consultants | Van Sluis
Tel: +31 20 3055900

Taqa Investor Relations
Tanis Thacker
Tel: +971 2 661 4933

Claire Maloney, Capital MS&L
Tel: +44 207 307 5341