Dutch Government Confirms Plan to Halt Gas Production in Groningen

The Dutch government said on Tuesday that it will invest $24.24 billion in the earthquake-stricken Groningen region while confirming plans to halt gas production there no later than 2024.

(Reuters) — The Dutch government said on Tuesday that it will invest 22 billion euros ($24.24 billion) in the earthquake-stricken Groningen region while confirming plans to halt gas production there no later than 2024.

"This is the last chance to make things right for the people (who live in) the earthquake zone," Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte said at a press conference. "We cannot reverse what went wrong, but we are determined to do things differently."

The Groningen field, operated by a joint venture of Shell and Exxon Mobil, still holds massive reserves of natural gas but production has been wound down in the past decade as quakes caused by extraction caused widespread damage and mental anguish.

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