Dutch to Cut Gas Output to Reduce Earthquake Risk
The Netherlands will reduce production of its Groningen gas field by 10 percent from October to limit the risk of earthquakes, the country's economy minister said in a letter to parliament on Tuesday. Output has been cut several times from 53.9 billion cubic metres in 2013 to 24 billion bcm as criticism mounted that Dutch authorities had failed to adequately assess the risk to citizens from earthquakes caused by production at Europe's biggest field.
Dutch Government: May Meet 2020 Carbon Emission Goals After All
The Dutch government may meet its 2020 carbon dioxide emission goals after all, it said on Friday, thanks to a more rapid rollout of wind energy and 100 million euros ($110 million) in extra spending. Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the goal "within grasp" after the Dutch Environmental Assessment Agency estimated carbon reduction by 2020 will be around 23 percent, compared to 1990 levels, up from a previous estimate of only 17 percent.
Technip, BTG Bioliquids Ink Biomass-to-Oil Production Deal
Technip announced today that it has signed an exclusive cooperation agreement with BTG BioLiquids B.V. (BTL) to provide EPC(1) services for its modular pyrolysis plants. The plants will be based on BTL’s Fast Pyrolysis Oil(2) (FPO) technology which converts biomass to oil through a rapid pyrolysis process. The agreement combines Technip’s global strength in technology, engineering, procurement and construction with BTL’s experience in the design and commercial operation of one of the world’s first FPO production facilities.
Dutch Court to Rule on Eemskanaal Gas Field by June 1
A Dutch court will rule on a request to restrict gas production at Eemskanaal, part of the large Groningen gas field, by June 1, Council of State spokeswoman Sabine Heijstek-van Leussen said. The court, which has previously rejected a request to restrict production at Eemskanaal, decided on Thursday it would issue a preliminary ruling on a second complaint lodged by residents. Production at Groningen has become increasingly controversial due to small earthquakes, which have damaged homes and buildings across the region.
Exxon-Shell Gas Venture to Adjust Groningen Output
Dutch gas production company NAM and national gas trading company GasTerra said on Wednesday they were studying how to compensate for a court ruling that halted production at part of the massive Groningen gas field because of safety concerns. A spokesman for GasTerra said it was not yet clear whether his organisation may have to purchase additional gas on the open market, or whether NAM may be able to increase production in other areas to make up for the production halt around the town of Loppersum.
Dutch Govt. to Halt Gas Output in Part of Groningen Field
The Dutch government said it would immediately implement a court order to halt production in part of Europe's largest gas field after a ruling that raised industry concerns of further output curbs because of safety fears over earthquakes. In a preliminary ruling on Tuesday, the Council of State ordered the government to a halt production around the village of Loppersum in the northern province of Groningen, where the gas field is located.
Dutch Court to Hear Challenge to Cabinet's Gas Production Plan
The Netherlands' highest court for administrative law has agreed to hear a challenge to the government's plan for output from the Groningen gas field, a spokeswoman confirmed on Thursday. Production from Groningen, Europe's largest gas field, has become increasingly controversial since the Dutch Safety Board found in February that the government had not adequately considered the danger from the earthquakes that it causes. Judges at the Council of State will hear the request for summary judgment on April 1…
Dutch Govt. Apologizes for Gas Field Causing Quakes
The Dutch government apologised on Monday for ignoring risks posed by earthquakes caused by production of natural gas in the northern province of Groningen. The apology follows a report by the country's independent Safety Board in February that found the government, together with Royal Shell and Exxon, had put profits before safety in exploiting the Groningen gas field, Europe's largest. "I am very sorry that the safety interests of Groningers did not receive the attention they deserved," said Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp.
Bells Toll for Europe's Largest Gas Field
Dutch church bells that for centuries have tolled to warn of floods across the low-lying countryside are sounding the alarm for a new threat: earthquakes linked to Europe's largest natural gas field. "Money can buy a lot of things, but a building like this cannot be replaced," said Jur Bekooy, a civil engineer with the Groningen Old Churches Association, pointing to cracks in the ceiling and walls of the 13th-century Maria Church in the village of Westerwijtwerd.
