Netherlands Imported More Natural Gas than It Exported Over Last Months

The Netherlands imported more natural gas than it exported in May, July, August and September 2015, showing how the cap on production from the Groningen gas field is having an effect on the European Union’s main gas producer. 

According to data released by Statistics Netherlands, the country’s gas consumption is mainly stable, but indigenous production decreased from 4,328 million m3 in September 2014 to 2,834 million m3 in September 2015.

Over the same period, imports of ‘gaseous’ natural gas increased from 2,684 million m3 to 3,543 million m3. 

On the other hand, exports of ‘gaseous’ natural gas significantly diminished from 3,776 million m3 in September 2014 to 2,854 million m3. 

Last month, a Dutch Court temporarily limited gas extraction in Groningen to 27 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas a year, adding that the operator of the field could be allowed to ramp up production if cold weather necessitates doing so.   

The Groningen gas field, which is the biggest field in Europe, is operated by the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij BV (NAM), a joint venture between Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil with each company owning a 50% share.

On Monday, Shell Chemical announced the final investment decision to increase Alpha Olefins (AO) production at its chemical site in Louisiana, United States.