Major Milestone for Ireland’s Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve as Murphy Group Appointed FEED Contractor

Gas Networks Ireland has appointed Murphy Group as the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) contractor for the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve (SGER), marking a significant milestone in the delivery of this nationally important energy security project. 

The appointment signals the beginning of the detailed design phase for the SGER project, which will provide the essential engineering, safety, environmental and planning documentation required for a planning submission later this year. 

Under the 12‑month FEED contract, Murphy Group will deliver more than 300 technical outputs. These will include a full Building Information Model (BIM), engineering design drawings, geotechnical assessments, HAZOPs, Quantitative Risk Assessments, navigational and berthing studies, and a broad suite of environmental reports. The work will also support the preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), Natura Impact Statement (NIS) and Appropriate Assessment (AA), all of which are critical elements of the planning process. 

The procurement process for the FEED contract was competitive and fast‑tracked. Tenders were issued to a pre‑qualified panel of three contractor groups in November 2025, with Gas Networks Ireland completing the tender evaluation, interviews, negotiations and final approvals in under 14 weeks. 

Speaking at the signing, Tom Hegarty, Head of Engineering for the SGER project, said: 

“The appointment of Murphy Group represents a major step forward for the delivery of a strategic gas emergency reserve for Ireland, moving it from early scoping and site selection into detailed engineering and preparation for future planning and construction phases. We are delighted to partner with the Murphy team as we move into this critical design phase.” 

Murphy Group, which employs more than 800 people in Ireland, brings extensive experience across utility, civil engineering and major infrastructure delivery. Their design teams will work from offices in Ireland and the UK, supported by regular engagement with Gas Networks Ireland and site visits to Cahiracon in Co. Clare, where the proposed SGER facility will be located. 

To find out more about the Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve, please visit Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve | Gas Networks Ireland.