The conversations between the outgoing cabinet and the Dutch Petroleum Company (NAM) about the reparations as a result of gas extraction have been stopped. The State holds the NAM and shareholders Shell and ExxonMobil responsible for reinforcement and damage repair, but they refuse to pay.
Although NAM has partly transferred the reinforcement costs in recent years, an amount of 550 million euros is still open. The NAM has paid the costs for the damage settlement, but the company disputes the passing on of those costs.
In addition, the NAM pay payments to the State for regional growth to improve the perspective of Groningers after decades of gas extraction. According to society, these payments are no longer necessary now that gas extraction from the Groningen field has been stopped, the letter can be read. It is about 31.25 million euros that they refuse to pay.
The NAM, Shell and ExxonMobil have filed several lawsuits to challenge the costs. At the same time, conversations were held with the cabinet to resolve it differently, but those conversations have now been stopped.
Although the battle between the State and the NAM and its shareholders has not yet been competed, the conflict has no impact on residents with regard to the damage settlement and reinforcement operation, according to Van Marum and Hermans. The state continues with the handling of damage files and the strengthening of houses, regardless of the outcome of the legal proceedings, the letter can be read.
Further conversations between the outgoing cabinet and the NAM about gas extraction at Ternaard and the gas stores at Norg and Grijpskerk are still ongoing.