Dutch Report Tipped to Favor Shale Development

A report on hydraulic fracturing prepared for the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs has concluded that the shale gas extraction process can be conducted safely in Holland.

Media outlet RTL, which claims that it has obtained a copy of the confidential report, said that the government is poised to give the go ahead to test drilling.

The Dutch Cabinet reportedly met this past Friday to discuss the contents of the report, which was commissioned by Henk Kamp, the Economic Affairs Minister based on concerns about the potential risks of fracking.

Proposed drilling for shale gas in Boxtel, Haaren and the Noordoost polder has drawn protests from a  number of local councils, water boards and even brewing groups like Heineken have come out against the production of shale gas because of the risk of pollution. Water company Vitens has stated that it fears irreparably contaminated underground drinking water supplies.

Cuadrilla, which is partnering with Energie Beheer Netherlands (EBN), a natural gas exploration, production, transportation and sale company owned by the Dutch Government, has announced to apply for exploratory drilling.

Research conducted by EénVandaag indicated that 55 percent of 8,500 respondents were against 'shaliegas' development, while 32 percent favoured development of the unconventional gas.

The report places the Dutch Labour Party (PvdA), a coalition partner in the present government, in a challenging position.

The party's last congress in Leeuwarden saw Labour members approving a motion to ban test drillings for shale gas, a position subsequently confirmed by party leader Diederik Samson.

At that time, Samson said if drilling technologies improve, there is the possiblity that Labour members would reconsider their stance.

The Labour Party is in a governing coalition with The People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD).  The VVD has long been in favour of drilling for shale gas.

Upwards of 45% of the Netherlands' energy comes from gas, however its main gas field at Groningen is slowly depleting and the nation faces the prospects of being a gas importer in another decade's time.

The independent research organization TNO estimates the recoverable amount of shale gas in the Netherlands ranges from 2,400 to 11,000 billion cubic meters.

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