Latest News

Dutch Senate hold-ups Groningen gas field shutdown

The Dutch Senate has postponed a vote on a law to close permanently the Groningen gas field, angering the government that has actually said production would never ever resume because of the threat of earthquakes.

Normal gas production at Groningen in the north of the Netherlands ended last October after years of output cuts to limit seismic activity, linked to decades of extraction, that has actually harmed countless structures.

The gas field, once one of Europe's primary providers, was available for restricted production during a cold snap in recent months, but the federal government has actually proposed a law that would close the field completely by Oct. 1.

Although backed by the Lower Home of parliament last month, numerous Senate factions on Tuesday stated they required more guarantees that the law would not jeopardise the security of the nation's gas supply.

This could postpone the decision by a year and a half, that makes me angry, Hans Vijlbrief, mining state secretary, informed a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday.

Vijlbrief stated he would resign unless the Senate altered its mind quickly.

Security of supply would only possibly be at threat in case of two extremely cold winters in a row, a possibility that is approximated at 1 in 80,000, Vijlbrief said. I rely on there is a. misconception which we will see a last Senate decision. quickly.

Among those asking to delay the vote were 3 of the. four celebrations that are attempting to form a federal government, consisting of the. nationalist PVV party that won the November 2023 election and. the centre right VVD of outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Without the law, gas production could theoretically resume. Lower Home lawmakers on Wednesday stated they feared a. considerable delay and ongoing uncertainty for individuals residing in. the area.

Rutte's caretaker federal government, in charge till a new. federal government is formed, has repeatedly stated it will not resume gas. production at Groningen under any circumstance.

VVD lawmaker Silvio Erkens on Wednesday likewise said the. choice to end gas production would not be reevaluated.

However the Senate deserves to ask for more information,. he included.

Shell and ExxonMobil, whose NAM joint. venture runs the field, have actually asked an arbitration court to. choose whether the Dutch state should compensate them for the. ending of gas production at Groningen, which still includes substantial. reserves.

Gas revenues have provided an approximated 363 billion euros.