Netherlands, Germany Plan Joint Gas Production in the North Sea

Amsterdam- The Netherlands and Germany are planning joint development of a natural gas field near the Frisian Islands in the North Sea, Dutch media reported on Wednesday.

Berlin has approved a plan by Dutch exploration and production company ONE-Dyas to begin operating a gas field near the islands of Schiermonnikoog and Borkum, public broadcaster NOS said.

The German side was originally against drilling in the designated area, 20 kilometers to the north of the islands, but changed its mind in view of approaching gas shortages.

According to ONE-Dyas CEO Chris de Ruyter van Steveninck the field in question could have up to 60 billion cubic meters of gas. For comparison, the Netherlands consumes 40 billion cubic meters a year, while Germany consumes 90 cubic meters.