Star Energy

I wonder if the above will push up Star Energy shares or even Egdon Resources and even Independant Resources all into gas storage facilities.

Rivara underground gas storage facility (OWNED BY INDEPENDANT RESOURCES (IRG) AIM MARKET
Independent Resources plans to construct a large underground storage (UGS) facility by storing natural gas in a deep, naturally fractured reservoir in Italy's Po Valley. The Rivara project has been granted a provisional long-term concession by Italy's Ministry of Productive Activities (MAP) which is subject to completion of a satisfactory environmental impact assessment and final approval by MAP. MAP is eager to encourage new gas storage capacity in the country to alleviate expected deficits in this industry which is a matter of public interest. The company expects to complete this approval procedure in the near term.

Underground natural gas storage is a common feature of almost all gas delivery systems and has been used for many decades. It a well-understood process that is environmentally benign and involves a low-impact physical profile.

Rivara's working capacity is estimated at approximately 3.2 billion cubic metres (bcm), which would make it one of largest gas storage facilites in Italy and in Europe. The company anticipates that it will be developed in a commercial partnership, using long term project finance.

The company currently expects to develop Rivara in three stages, with the first stage coming on stream in 2010.

The key potential benefits of the Rivara storage facility are:

the large capacity of the structure
its unique geological features not only allow for faster injection and withdrawal than conventional gas storage facilities, but for constant peak gas deliverability throughout its annual operational cycle
its potential to go a long way towards meeting the growing demand for gas storage capacity in Italy
its geographical location, close to a trunkline intersection on the transcontinental "gas highway"
its strategic value in enabling the company to negotiate equity interests in North African gas fields supplying Italy.
Independent Resources has also filed an application for a second potential gas storage facility at Canton in northern Italy, with a nominal capacity of 1.5 bcm. This application awaits completion of the feasibility studies at Rivara. No other parties are entitled to compete for the Canton facility in the meantime, and provided the commercial viability of Rivara is established, Canton could prove to be an additional valuable asset for the company