The Groningen gas field may be closed, but there are still seventeen small gas fields in the province from which pumping continues. “The residents of Bedum, Leens, Lauwersoog and Warffum are still uncertain about the future,” says party leader Janny Klei of PvdA Het Hogeland.
NAM still has approximately 175 small gas fields. Klei: “There are four in Het Hogeland. We are receiving signals from residents, especially from Warffum, that they are concerned about earthquake damage. Warffum is located on the largest small gas field in our municipality. That is why we ask the council to draw the Hague’s attention to this unrest.”
‘Should be an end to rumbling in the ground’
The small fields in the Netherlands together contain 1,500 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Of these, 1,100 have been removed from the ground. Gas extraction is allowed in Bedum until 2035, in Lauwersoog until 2036 and in Leens until 2027. The permit for Warffum was due to expire this year, but there is now a proposal to extend it to 2032.
Klei: “It is nice that the tap on the large field is now closed, but there are still concerns. Many people think that gas extraction in the province of Groningen is now over, but that is not the case. These fields must also be closed. This rumbling in the ground must stop.”
Tags: gas longer extracted Groningen Small gas fields closed Janny Klei PvdA Het Hogeland
