NL TIMES
State mining supervisor wants to halt gas extraction in Groningen
It is “really very undesirable” to extract more natural gas in Groningen, said Theodor Kockelkoren, inspector-general with the State Supervision of Mines…
Gas extraction in Groningen has been causing earthquakes for years, damaging houses. Kockelkoren said in the broadcast that two things are necessary to improve safety in the area: “Reduce gas production to zero as quickly as possible, and strengthen the houses that need it. From my perspective on the safety of the people in Groningen, raising gas production now is really a bad idea.”
In recent years, the previous Cabinet promised to reduce gas extraction in Groningen. However, a few days before his departure in January, outgoing Minister Stef Blok of Economic Affairs announced that almost twice as much gas as previously estimated would likely be extracted from Groningen this “gas year” (October 2021 to September 2022). During that period, production is expected to increase from 3.9 billion cubic meters up to 7.6 billion cubic meters. This is partially due to contracts with Germany.
Reporting by ANP.