The Netherlands wants to close Europe's largest gas field this year as it is 'very dangerous' to continue exploiting it. This was stated by a government spokesman, according to the Financial Times..

Secretary of State for Mining in charge of the Groningen field, Hans Wilbrief, said he intends to close it before October 1, but will wait to see if there is a shortage of gas in Europe after the winter. If necessary, the field will remain open until October 2024.

A gas field in the northeast of the Netherlands, near the border with Germany, is operating at only part of its capacity, Wilbrif added, and also ruled out expansion of production at this site..

" It's politically completely unviable. But besides, I'm not going to do that because it means you're increasing the chance of earthquakes for which I don't want to be held responsible,"

Since the 1980s, the area has experienced up to 100 tremors each year, resulting in more than 160,000 property damage claims.. The strongest of these had a magnitude of 3.6, and its effects were exacerbated by soft ground and close-to-surface tremors..

Last summer, The Hague came under pressure to increase production at Groningen after Moscow began cutting gas supplies to the EU over the bloc's support for Ukraine.. In 2021, Russia accounted for 155 billion cubic meters of gas, which is 40% of the total EU consumption.

Instead, it shelved plans to shut down the field and cut annual production to 2.8 billion cubic meters, the minimum needed to keep the pumps running.. Production of more than 5 billion cubic meters will increase the risk of seismic activity in the region, Wilbrif warned.

Groningen, opened in 1963, pumped over 50 billion cubic meters of gas almost a decade ago at its peak. The Hague ordered production cuts from 2013, and in 2018 announced the closure of the field.

“It's very, very simple: everyone who has any knowledge of the danger of earthquakes tells me that it is very dangerous to continue mining in this field.. I am quite convinced that it would be wise to close it,” Wilbrif explained..

Pressure steps up investigation to confirm previous governments covered up gas production causing earthquakes. Findings to be presented next month will be 'devastating', Wilbrif said.

“It was very clear throughout the hearings that all aspects of safety while drilling gas wells in Groningen have been neglected for many years.. I already have a parliamentary majority behind me, wanting to close this case as soon as possible.. This report will only strengthen this majority,” he added..

The government has allocated 8.8 billion euros to resolve the damage until 2028.

The Netherlands and Europe have enough gas after securing imports from the US, Norway, Qatar and elsewhere, Wilbrief said, and a mild winter helps keep gas storage levels high..

The Netherlands reduced gas consumption by 22% last year compared to 2021. Northwest Germany was heavily dependent on gas from Groningen, adapting domestic boilers and industrial plants to burn it, but has already switched to alternative sources.

The Dutch government urges companies to develop offshore fields in the North Sea. According to Wilbrief, within three years it will be possible to produce an additional billion cubic meters, and in five years - 2-4 billion cubic meters..

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