Government, gas companies ‘structurally neglected’ Groningen interests, parliamentary committee finds – The Northern Times

Gas extraction in the province of Groningen was so lucrative for the Dutch state and energy giants Shell and ExxonMobil that it ignored clear signs of long-term risks and adverse effects for Groningen residents, according to Natural. Gas extraction in Groningen reported by the parliamentary commission of inquiry Conclusion Friday.

Since drilling began 60 years ago, the Netherlands has benefited greatly from natural gas extracted from the Groningen field. The Treasury earned him 363 billion euros, while Shell and Exxon revenues were around 66 billion euros. But “the interests of the people of Groningen were structurally ignored,” the report said. Less than 1% of that total has returned to Groningen. The Groningen community feels sidelined by the government and gas companies.

The commission said the large-scale extraction caused numerous tremors, leaving thousands of residents with damaged homes and health problems. widely believed to be the cause. The tremors at the Groningen Field, opened in 1963, began in the 1980s. Because the soft local clay and sandstone began to migrate. A parliamentary committee said gas drilling activity in the north of the Netherlands triggered 1,594 earthquakes that cracked 85,000 homes, farms, businesses and buildings.

After initially ignoring the problem, the government reduced the amount of gas pumped out of Groningen, minimizing earthquake risk in the region. Locals, who have caused millions of euros in damage to their homes over the years, have been keen to stop gas extraction to ensure that the main cause of earthquakes is eliminated. But the future of the Groningen gas field has taken on new importance as energy prices have skyrocketed following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Several European politicians called for not only the continuation of gas extraction but also for increased drilling.

Groningen is Europe’s largest natural gas field, with reserves that could replace pipeline gas that Russia no longer pumps to the West. But the commission recommends that authorities and companies should not put profits ahead of people.

The parliamentary committee also called on the government to streamline the process of damage claims and ensure adequate funding for compensation.