Cabinet agrees to cut gas production in Groningen

Following growing residents’ concerns overs the risk of earthquakes, the Dutch government has agreed to cut gas production in Groningen. Oil Well / Wikipedia Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp visited the village of Loppersum on Friday to reveal the government’s plans to scale back and provide money for damaged homes and infrastructure in the area. The government wants to cut gas production in the area around Loppersum by 80% for the next three years, Nos reported. People were concerned about earthquakes caused by natural gas drilling. As a result of earthquakes caused by gas drilling, real estate market is also facing problems in Groningen. The value of houses is falling there. The total production in 2014 and 2015 will be reduced to 42.5 billion cubic meters per year. It will cut back to 40 billion cubic metres in 2016. A total of €1.2 billion will be spend over the next five years for strengthening buildings, houses and infrastructure in Groningen. PvdA leader Samsom pleaded for ‘adjusting’ gas winning in Groningen to safer levels, Thursday, during his visit to Middelstum in the Groningen province.