Natural gas helps fuel Holland's future
The first shipment of natural gas from Schoonebeck to a Dutch town, Coevorden, occurred on Sept. 4, 1951. The Dutch energy balance reflected little change for many years, but an examination of the scene now shows almost every home heated by natural gas. Dutch gas fields produced over 82 billion m/sup 3/ (3 trillion cubic feet) in 1974, and an extensive pipeline system has been carefully laid to transport gas beneath the Dutch countryside. There was little indication before the late 1950's that Holland might yield significant liquid or gaseous energy reserves. The formations appeared to be scattered and difficult to identify and exploration was making only slow progress. Then in 1959, natural gas deposits were discovered at Slockteren. Prospects for additional supplies brightened immediately and many oil companies initiated intensive exploration activities. The vast Groningen field was subsequently drilled, making a wealth of natural gas available to the Netherlands. It is the size of the Groningen discovery that has helped transform Holland's energy balance and energy policy. Most gas purchased by the Dutch natural gas company, Gasunie, comes from the Groningen field. In the future, however, foreign purchases and other gas fields in Holland will gradually begin contributing a greater percentage of supplies as the Groningen reserves decline. (MCW)
- OSTI ID:
- 7313466
- Journal Information:
- Am. Gas Assoc. Mon.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Gas Assoc. Mon.; (United States) Vol. 58:10; ISSN AGAMA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ECONOMY
ENERGY BALANCE
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCES
EUROPE
EXPLORATION
FLUIDS
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
MARKET
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NATURAL GAS FIELDS
NETHERLANDS
PRODUCTION
RESERVES
RESOURCES