Six decades of reliability beneath the surface
Svanehoj to renew one of its longest-serving underground storage installations

Nearly 60 years after the original installation, Svanehoj has been entrusted with renewing the safety system at the Geogaz underground storage cavern in France. Together with a second modernization project for Primagaz, the order highlights Svanehoj’s long-standing role in critical underground storage applications.

At the Geogaz underground storage cavern in southern France, a Svanehoj level alarm system installed in 1968 is approaching the end of a service life spanning nearly six decades. As part of the facility’s planned modernization, Svanehoj has been selected to replace the original installation with a new-generation safety and control system. This continues a partnership that has supported safe cavern operations for almost 60 years.

The Geogaz project is one of two underground storage cavern modernization projects recently awarded to Svanehoj in France. The second concerns a Primagaz facility equipped with Svanehoj technology since 1997. Both projects are scheduled for implementation in 2027 and include the supply of level alarm probes, hydraulic emergency shut-off valves, and associated control systems.

Nearly 60 years of continuous operation

At Geogaz, Svanehoj will work closely with the underground storage specialist Geostock to replace the existing level alarm probe system, add new safety shut-off valves, and install hydraulic control equipment.

The project stands out because the original Svanehoj equipment dates back to the development of the facility in 1968 and has remained in operation for almost 60 years. Its longevity highlights the robustness of the original design and underlines the importance of dependable safety systems in critical storage applications.

The new installation will bring the facility’s safety and control equipment up to current requirements while building on a technical relationship that dates back to the original development of the site.

A second modernization after nearly 30 years

Svanehoj will carry out a similar modernization at a Primagaz underground storage facility, where the existing equipment was installed in 1997. 

After almost three decades of operation, the level alarm probe system and associated safety equipment will now be renewed to support continued safe and reliable operation.

Long-term partnerships and lifecycle support

The Geogaz and Primagaz projects reflect a broader trend across Europe. Aging underground storage facilities are entering a new lifecycle phase, requiring modernization of critical safety and monitoring systems. For Svanehoj, these projects underscore the importance of long-term partnerships and lifecycle support, helping customers operate safely and efficiently.

Underground storage caverns play an important role in securing energy supply chains. Located deep underground, these engineered storage facilities hold strategic reserves. They support refineries, gas distribution networks, filling stations, and industrial operations.

Drawing on decades of experience in underground storage applications, Svanehoj continues to support both the modernization of existing equipment and the development of future storage solutions. 

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