Many inhabitants of Middelie are not thrilled: extra gas extraction from the Middelieveld. In the original plans, the gas field would soon be left alone, but drilling is likely to continue for more than ten years. Why and what’s going on?
The Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) wants to extract more gas from the Middelieveld. The municipality of Edam-Volendam has issued a negative advice on these plans in a letter to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. Not because they are against gas extraction, but more because of the working method of the NAM.
The province of North Holland agrees and is also negative about the plans. This is because the area is also used for generating geothermal heat and it is unclear what the consequences of both projects are for the soil, nature and the environment. In addition, many residents are against the plans for more gas extraction in Middelie, but gas extraction itself is anything but a new phenomenon.
According to NAM, gas has been extracted in the region since the 1960s. This started at the Seevancksweg, followed by the Klemweg. Both locations are no longer in use. The newest location, Westbeemster-1, has been in production since 2007. The natural gas that is extracted here goes through a pipeline to Middelie-300. The end date for this gas extraction is in sight, but will most likely be extended to 2039.
In 2022, the ‘small gas field’ will have produced approximately 4,824 million normal cubic (Nm³) metres. There is a permit for 6,210 million Nm³. By way of comparison: in Groningen in 2022 there will be 4.4 billion Nm³ of gas.
When asked, a spokesperson said: “NAM will not increase gas production, the gas will rise naturally via the gas well and the pressure will continue to decrease over the years. However, NAM will continue to extract gas from these fields for longer than is described in the current extraction plan, which is why it has been decided to apply for a new extraction plan.”
Most of the gas that flows through the pipes in Dutch households comes from abroad. Think of Norway, Russia, England and the Middle East. In 2021, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), Dutch gas was for its own country. The remaining gas is sold as an export product to other countries, such as Germany. According to NAM, the natural gas from Middelie is intended for the Dutch energy market.
On June 5, 2018, there a small earthquake in the Warder area place in North Holland. KNMI seismologist Läslo Evers says that gas extraction was the cause. “We don’t have natural earthquakes in North Holland,” he says. Although the quake was not as heavy as most earthquakes in Groningen, the phenomenon was striking.
A little further back in time, on December 1, 1989, a minor earthquake was also reported. This time in Kwadijk. It is unclear whether this has to do with gas production. Since 2021, NAM has installed additional accelerometers. This has been approved by the KNMI. A possible earthquake is then signaled earlier.
Fuses
To counteract the extra gas extraction, the inhabitants want to submit an opinion. This will be discussed at a village meeting tonight. The NAM indicates that producing natural gas in the Netherlands has major advantages: “It creates employment, has a lower CO2 footprint than imported natural gas and generates income for the government.”