Natural gas production from the Groningen field in the Netherlands may nearly double from 3.9 billion cubic meters (Bcm) to 7.6 Bcm this year because of a request from Germany for additional supplies and a delay in the start-up of the Zuidbroek nitrogen facility. 

Germany approached the Dutch government as the country “expects to need 1.1 Bcm more this current gas year,” Jules van de Ven, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy told NGI. Germany’s demand for gas stems from lower-than-normal storage stocks. European gas prices more than tripled last year, partly because of a lack of sufficient pipeline supply from Russia.

“But another setback is the delay in the start-up of Zuidbroek,” he said. “This means we need more gas from Groningen...