The Groningen gas field in the Netherlands could cover the gas deficit in the EU. However, local authorities oppose mining in the area because drilling has repeatedly caused earthquakes.
How informs October 6 Bloomberg, because of the position of the people of Groningen, the authorities refuse to increase production, and recently announced the conservation of the field. Although, according to the agency, the Groningen field can produce 50 billion cubic meters. m per year more than now.
It was decided to close the Groningen field in 2018 after the strongest earthquakes in the mining area. Then about 21.6 billion cubic meters were produced. m of gas per year, by 2022 production has decreased to 4.6 billion cubic meters. m, and by the end of this year it was planned to completely stop production.
Now, Thierry Breton, EU commissioner for the internal market, is calling for the development of the field in the Netherlands.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte allowed the use of Groningen, but “only as a last resort”. However, Mines Minister Hans Wijlbrif believes that the Netherlands cannot ignore the suffering of other countries, because the lack of gas may force a decision to increase production.