The Hawaii Natural Gas Storage Lease refers to an agreement between the state of Hawaii and a private entity, allowing for the lease and use of underground storage facilities for natural gas. These storage facilities are crucial for ensuring a stable and reliable supply of natural gas to meet the energy needs of Hawaii's residents and businesses. Hawaii heavily relies on imported energy sources, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), to meet its energy demands. However, due to the state's geographical location and limited access to pipeline infrastructure, the need for storage facilities has arisen to ensure a constant supply of natural gas during supply disruptions or increased demand. The natural gas storage lease offers private entities an opportunity to utilize suitable underground storage sites located across Hawaii, which are typically depleted gas fields or salt caverns deep underground. These sites provide secure and high-capacity storage options for natural gas, enabling the state to store excess supply during times of low demand and withdraw it when demand is high, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply. There are different types of natural gas storage leases available in Hawaii, each with unique characteristics and suitability for specific purposes. These include: 1. Depleted Gas Field Storage Leases: These leases involve utilizing depleted natural gas fields for storage purposes. These fields have previously been used for extracting natural gas, but their reservoirs have been exhausted. Such sites offer the advantage of existing infrastructure and geological advantages for efficient storage of natural gas. 2. Salt Cavern Storage Leases: Salt caverns are another type of storage facility that can be leased for storing natural gas. These caverns are created by injecting water into salt formations, dissolving the salt, and creating large underground cavities. Natural gas can then be injected into and withdrawn from these caverns as necessary due to their high storage capacities and quick response times. 3. Aquifer Storage Leases: Some areas in Hawaii possess suitable underground aquifers that can be leased for natural gas storage. Aquifer storage involves injecting natural gas into porous rock formations underground. These storage sites typically require additional infrastructure and operational considerations due to the nature of aquifer mechanics. The Hawaii Natural Gas Storage Lease is a crucial component of the state's energy infrastructure, enabling it to ensure energy security, resilience, and flexibility in the face of changing energy demands. By utilizing different types of storage facilities strategically located across the islands, Hawaii can mitigate supply disruptions, support the integration of renewable energy sources, and enhance its energy independence.