Dutch Government Reluctantly Flicks On Groningen’s ‘Pilot Light’ Amid Chilly Weather

This backtrack comes after they boldly declared they would end Groningen’s production last October, winding it down over the years because of the pesky earthquakes. But now, they’re exercising their ‘just in case’ option, like someone keeping an ex’s number ‘just for emergencies.’

Posted by John Donovan 10 Jan 24

In a move that screams ‘last resort,’ the Dutch government, like a reluctant parent turning on the night light for a scared child, has decided to fire up the ‘pilot light’ at the Groningen gas field. This decision comes amidst the impending cold snap, reminding everyone that sometimes, even governments have to go back on their word.

NAM (Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij), the prodigal child of Shell and Exxon and operator of the Groningen gas field, has a bit of a shaky history, quite literally. This gas field is infamous for its earthquakes, which have been more than just a minor inconvenience for the locals. Picture this: a 3.6 magnitude earthquake back in 2012 near Huizinge, which residents felt more intensely than their morning coffee. No wonder the Dutch cabinet, in a moment of environmental awakening, announced the field’s closure in 2018.

But wait, there’s more. NAM isn’t just any company. It’s responsible for a whopping 25% of the natural gas that Dutch households and businesses use to keep their stoves burning and homes cosy. And since natural gas is the MVP of the Netherlands’ energy game, accounting for 42% of all energy used, it’s kind of a big deal.

So here we are, with the Dutch government saying, “Well, maybe just a little bit of gas,” as it plans to turn on minimal production at two stations in Groningen. They call it a ‘pilot light,’ which sounds a lot cuter than ‘reluctantly restarting an earthquake-causing gas field.’

This backtrack comes after they boldly declared they would end Groningen’s production last October, winding it down over the years because of the pesky earthquakes. But now, they’re exercising their ‘just in case’ option, like someone keeping an ex’s number ‘just for emergencies.’

The big chill set to hit the Netherlands, with temperatures expected to dive below -6.5 Celsius, is the apparent reason for this sudden change of heart. But don’t worry, according to the forecasts, this ‘pilot light’ won’t turn into a full-blown flame, and they’ll probably turn it off in about two weeks. It’s like saying, “We’ll only disturb the earth a little bit, promise!”

As for Dutch gas storage, which is quite impressive for a country of its size, it’s sitting pretty at around 80% full. That’s a bit shy of the European average but more than what’s usual for this time of year. So, as the Dutch government cautiously plays with its ‘pilot light’ in the Groningen gas field, one can’t help but wonder if it’s really worth the shake-up. Literally.

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