Plans are advancing for an £830 million project off the UK coast that could boost Britain's depleted gas storage capacity by up to 50%. British-Irish energy firm dCarbonX, backed by Europe's largest gas infrastructure operator Snam, is proposing to redevelop the former Bains gas site near Barrow-in-Furness, approximately 30 kilometres off the coast of north-west England in Morecambe Bay.
The project comes as Britain faces what dCarbonX describes as a mounting "national security risk" due to inadequate gas storage infrastructure. The UK currently has the lowest gas storage capability in the G7, with just 12 days' worth of average winter gas demand capacity. This compares unfavorably with European counterparts like Germany, France and Italy, which maintain 90 days or more of storage capacity.
The Bains site would be capable of storing 1.4 billion cubic metres of gas, providing approximately six additional days of average demand coverage. Tony O'Reilly, chief executive of dCarbonX, emphasized that "the UK doesn't just have a market gap - it has a strategic risk," noting that gas has evolved from being merely a commodity to "the key transition fuel and an insurance policy for stable growth."
The proposed redevelopment of the former producing gas field could become operational within five years, pending regulatory and investment approvals. The project represents one of several initiatives aimed at strengthening Britain's energy security infrastructure as the country navigates the transition to cleaner energy sources while maintaining reliable supply during peak demand periods.

British actor Callum Turner and pop superstar Dua Lipa have captured public attention with their whirlwind romance that began in January 2024 and culminated in an engagement confirmed in June. The couple's relationship timeline includes key public milestones, from being spotted together after the 'Masters of the Air' premiere in London to making their red carpet debut at the 2025 Met Gala. Their journey from initial meeting to engagement has unfolded over approximately 18 months, with both stars navigating demanding careers while building their personal connection.
The couple's first encounter reads like something from a romantic screenplay. Turner, 35, revealed to The Times that they finally met at a mutual friend's birthday party in Los Angeles after experiencing several 'near-misses' where their paths almost crossed but didn't. The most remarkable aspect of their initial meeting occurred when they sat next to each other and discovered they were both reading the same book, Hernán Díaz's 'Trust,' and had both just finished the first chapter. Turner described the moment as cinematic, noting that they realized they were 'on the same page' both literally and figuratively.
Maintaining a relationship between two high-profile careers requires strategic effort, and Turner has shared insights into how they manage the challenges of long-distance dating. The actor emphasized the importance of making time for each other regardless of busy schedules, stating their motto is 'it's never not worth it.' He recounted a recent instance where he flew to Boston for just two days to see Lipa between her tour commitments and his filming schedule, despite feeling exhausted. The couple relies heavily on FaceTime to stay connected and prioritizes creating meaningful memories during their limited time together.
Before their fateful meeting, Turner and Lipa experienced what he describes as multiple 'sliding doors' moments that nearly prevented their connection. The actor detailed one specific instance where Lipa left a party at 1:45 AM and he arrived at 2:00 AM, missing each other by mere minutes. These near-misses spanned several occasions involving mutual friends and shared social circles. Turner expressed gratitude that when they finally did meet under the right circumstances, he immediately recognized Lipa as 'the most beautiful woman in the world,' setting the stage for a relationship that would quickly progress from dating to engagement.