The Netherlands has stopped production at Europe’s largest gas field

In the north of the Netherlands, production has been stopped at the Groningen gas field, a key source of gas for much of Western Europe, reports De Telegraaf newspaper. Since the 1980s Hundreds of earthquakes occurred due to the operation of the field.

According to the publication, which refers TASS, production may be resumed in 2024 if cold weather or other unforeseen circumstances occur. Gas supply in Groningen, as noted, was stopped at 6:00 local time (7:00 Moscow time). According to De Telegraaf, the Dutch government has not made a decision on the final dismantling of gas wells, but local authorities fear protests from residents if production is resumed.

That the Dutch authorities are planning to permanently close Europe’s largest gas field ahead of schedule, Bloomberg told in mid-June. Agency sources said at the time that the facility would cease operations on October 1.

The field has been a key source of gas for much of Western Europe, as well as the mainstay of the Dutch state budget since production began in 1963. Bloomberg wrote that the halt in production makes it impossible to increase gas flows if the energy crisis in the region worsens next winter. At the same time, the agency noted that the Groningen fields currently make a small contribution to total gas production in Europe.

There have been hundreds of earthquakes in the region since the 1980s. This year the government has pledged to spend a total of 22 billion euros over 30 years on compensation for Groningen residents. Of the approximately 327,000 homes in the region, 127,000 buildings were damaged, according to the Groningen Mining Damage Institute. Since 2012, more than 3,300 homes made unsafe by earthquakes have been demolished.

Opening wells, if necessary, will take about two weeks, Bloomberg wrote.