2023-10-02 11:28:23
The Netherlands on Sunday put an end to the extraction of natural gas from the Groningen field (north), the largest in Europe, its exploitation being the cause of earthquakes which shook local residents for decades, and threaten to persist.
However, the authorities are keeping the last eleven extraction units operational for another year before definitively closing the valves in the event of a “very harsh” winter, once morest a backdrop of persistent geopolitical tensions.
The deposit had been exploited since 1963 but for more than 20 years, the population has suffered earthquakes of low magnitude but close to the surface, due to vacuum pockets formed during gas extraction, which caused numerous damages.
After rejoicing in 2018 at the announced closure of the deposit, local residents became disillusioned with warnings from experts that earthquakes might continue for years.
And if gas extraction has gradually been reduced almost to nothing, The Hague decided in 2022 to postpone the closing of the valves due to global energy uncertainties.
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