In the North of the Netherlands, many different mining activities are situated close to each other. There are many small gas fields as well as the largest gas fields in Northern Europe (Groningen), gas storages in former gas fields (Grijpskerk), the gas storage in Norg, salt production near Veendam, possible hydrogen storage in salt cavens at Zuidwending and Winschoten. For many people in the Northern part of the Netherlands, this raises the question whether effects may accumulate with undesirable consequences. This research aims to define and clarify the possible interactions between different subsurface activities in the northern part of the Netherlands, with the focus on the Grijpskerk area.
The UGS Grijpskerk is surrounded by small gas fields, such as Kommerzijl, Saaksum, Pieterzijl, Kollom , Molenpolder, Wieringa, Burum, Burum-East, Grootegast. Some are still producing, like Kommerzijl, Pieterzijl. Some gas fields are not in production anymore, like Burum East or not yet in production, like Burum. Most gas fields are produced through a number of wells per field, which may form possible pathways of gas leakage.
This research has been defined with the assistance of some citizens in the Northern part of the Netherlands worried about the number of activities in their neighbourhood as well as the possible interaction between these activities. As such the research question will strive to give an independent answer to address these worries. The main concern of the people in the living environment is stated in the last research question: “What are the cumulative effects and interactions of the different mining activities around the Lauwers Sea trough and the interaction of the UGS Grijpskerk, the surrounding small gas fields and the Groningen gas field?”
The project is commissioned to a consortium including Crux Engineering, Cohere Consult, Geodata, Q-con and TU Delft. the project has started in 2023.