Holford

Holford H165 is owned by INOVYN (part of the INEOS group) and leased to Cadent. The site is located just south east of Lostock Green, Cheshire, in an area known as the Holford Brinefields.

Above ground, the site occupies a total area of 0.5 hectares. Anyone passing by would see only a small number of pipes and kiosks. The storage cavity itself lies hundreds of metres below ground.

Originally drilled in 1963 for solution mining of brine water to sell to chemical industries, it’s actually on the small side compared to much bigger storage cavities operated by other companies within the same geographic area.

Mining of the cavity ceased in 1979, when a decision was made to develop it as a storage cavity for natural gas, A second borehole was drilled five years later and, in 1985, it was commissioned as a storage cavity.

The roof of the cavity sits 370 metres below ground, beneath an initial 30-metre layer of glacial drift, then around 215 metres of boulder clay, and then a salt layer that’s perfect for the storage of natural gas.

It can accommodate a huge 175,000 cubic metres of gas, at 30 barg to 50 barg (which is 'high pressure').

We use the gas stored here to help meet demand at its peak and we fill it during periods of low demand.

The site is fitted with systems that allow our Energy Control Centre (ECC) to operate it remotely, with regular maintenance and checks also carried out by the Energy Operations team in our North West Network.

Here is an illustration of what Holford 165 looks like underground, and its depth.

Cadent is the operator of the site, which is subject to the Control of Major Accidents Hazards (COMAH) Regulations.

This map shows the location of Holford H165

As the operator of the site, Cadent has provided information to residents within an area that could be affected by a major accidents.

This is in the form of a letter and an advice leaflet. You can download a copy of that advice leaflet here. Key information in the leaflet is also below.

In the event of an emergency at the site:

• If at any time you become aware of a large gas escape or major problem at the site, phone the emergency services on 999 (or 112) and the National Gas Emergency Service on 0800 111 999.
• Go indoors and stay there. Warn passers-by, tell your family and, if possible, quickly warn any elderly or otherwise vulnerable neighbours.
• Close windows and stay well away from windows nearest to the site.
• Do not go outside. If your children are at school, they are best looked after there for the time being; the school will take care of them.
• The police, fire and rescue service, or Cadent will advise you if you need to take further action. The 'updates' tab on this page will state the latest information; the same updates will be posted on social media.

If you are requested to evacuate, by the police, fire and rescue service, or Cadent:

• Switch off electronic equipment, extinguish naked flames and remove other sources of ignition.
• Evacuate the building and secure the premises.
• Identify and record that all members of your houseold and/or staff are accounted for and present, and report these numbers to the emergency services.
• Advise others in the affected area to accompany you.
• Do not allow any person to re-enter the building until authorised to do so by a police officer.