Europe’s Largest Gas Field Has Stopped Production
The Netherlands completed gas production at Europe’s largest field in Groningen on October 1, reports the Netherlands Broadcasting Corporation (NOS).
“This morning at 6 a.m. the gas tap in Groningen was closed after years of discussion and constant fear of new earthquakes in the area,” the TV channel reported.
It is noted that the production of “blue fuel” in the northern province of the Netherlands ended 60 years after the start of operation of the field.
The decision to stop gas production was made due to the risk of earthquakes. However, as previously reported, gas wells may be opened next year in case of a very cold winter.
The giant gas field in Groningen in the northern Netherlands was discovered in 1959 and development began in 1963. The field’s initial recoverable gas reserves were 2.9 trillion cubic meters. For many years, the field was the main source of gas supply to Northwestern Europe, but due to numerous earthquakes in the province in the 1990s, the Dutch authorities decided to gradually limit production from it.
