Gas extraction and subsidence
Tytsjerksteradiel is the municipality with the most small gas fields in the Netherlands. Gas has been extracted from our soil since the 1960s, resulting in subsidence.
'It hat genôch west! The limit has been reached'
In 2024, Tytsjerksteradiel again sent a clear signal through a letter to the Minister of Climate and Green Growth: we want an end to gas extraction in our municipality. This is because gas extraction leads to subsidence. The expected subsidence due to gas extraction is now estimated at 24 centimeters. To this must be added subsidence due to natural processes such as the settling of the peat. This has consequences for our water management. For us, the limit has now been reached.
Information meeting experts
On November 19, 2024, the municipality organized an information meeting where Vermilion, the TNO, SSM and Mining Damage Commission each explained their role in the gas extraction process. A Q&A and a talking sheet were used to summarize the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is natural gas being extracted in Tytsjerksteradiel?
A total of 37 wells can be found in Tytsjerksteradiel. Natural gas is still being extracted from 18 of them today. These wells were originally owned by the Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij (NAM) and TotalEnergies SE (Total). They have since been taken over by the Canadian gas extraction company Vermilion. This company has specialized in producing natural gas from small gas fields.
More information on extraction sites can be found on Vermilion's website .
How is natural gas extracted?
Natural gas is extracted from deep underground. A gas extraction company begins with a survey to see where natural gas may be located. Then an exploration well is drilled to check if the gas is actually there. If it is, extraction begins. During extraction, the gas is brought to the surface through wells and processed. Once the gas is removed from the ground, extraction stops and the site is cleaned up. This includes removing facilities and restoring the surrounding area. This is a process that takes several to decades.
Learn more:
What is the role of the empire?
Ministry of Climate and Green Growth
If a gas production company has plans for new gas production or wants to modify an existing production plan, the central government is the competent authority. For the assessment of a new plan, the central government requests advice from TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), SSM (State Supervision of Mines) and the Mining Council. Then the province concerned , the Wetterskip and municipality will have the opportunity to give their opinions.
This website provides more information on the various procedures used by the State.
What is the role of the municipality?
Advisory role
The municipality usually has limited influence on gas extraction plans and mainly fulfills an advisory role. The central government submits new plans to the municipality for its advice. This advice is then included in the assessment of the plan. Thus, although municipalities play a role in advising and assessing the impact of gas extraction plans, the final decision lies with the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth.
The Municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel always advises negatively because of the subsidence and the subsequent consequences this causes. This advice usually comes about in consultation with the province and the Wetterskip.
Duty of Care
Despite the fact that the municipality of Tytsjerksteradiel has only a limited influence on the new gas production plans, it wants to inform residents as well as possible about the developments regarding gas production. In this capacity, an information meeting was held in November 2024 at which the State, Vermilion and TNO were present to explain their roles.
Permits
Gas extraction companies regularly apply for permits for activities at existing gas extraction sites, such as the erection of new buildings or the construction of new gas pipelines. These permits are reviewed by the municipality, which tests the application against legal rules and local ordinances. If the application meets all legal requirements, the municipality is obliged to grant the permit.
What is the role of the province?
Advisory role
Like the municipality, the province plays primarily an advisory role. The province is mainly opposed to gas extraction because of, among other things, the peatland problem and the salinization of the land due to rising sea levels and subsidence.
Frisian Mining Table
In 2022, on the initiative of the province, the Frisian Mining Table was established. This is a collaborative platform of Frisian municipalities, the province and the Wetterskip. The Mining Table aims to provide a unified administrative voice on mining activities in the province, representing the joint interests of the Frisian governments.
What is the role of It Wetterskip?
Advisory role
The Wetterskip also has an advisory role with regard to new extraction plans.
The Wetterskip indicated in 2024 that they no longer wanted to cooperate with gas extraction and opposed any mining that leads to subsidence. Previously, the Wetterskip helped compensate for the negative effects of subsidence by lowering the water level. However, they no longer see this as a common solution.
Learn more about It Wetterskip's position:
What is subsidence and what exactly causes it?
Soil subsidence means that the ground becomes lower in relation to a fixed reference point, such as sea level or a measured elevation. This can have several causes. Natural processes, such as the decomposition of organic material in the soil, can cause the soil to settle or sink. In addition, human activities such as gas or water extraction can also cause subsidence. Extracting groundwater or gas removes substances from the soil, which can lead to reduced subsurface pressure and subsidence.
In many cases, these natural causes and human activities combine to cause faster land subsidence and greater impacts.
Want to know more:
What can I do in case of damage?
If you suspect you have damage to your home due to gas production, you can contact the Mining Damage Commission. They handle damage reports and assess whether or not the damage was caused by gas production. In addition, the commission gives independent advice on compensation for damages and takes care of claims handling.
Where can I find more information about gas extraction?
You can consult various websites if you want to keep up to date with all the activities within and outside the municipal boundaries. Below is an overview:
- On NLOG you will find extensive information about extraction activities throughout the Netherlands. This website is managed by the TNO: https://www.nlog.nl/boringen
- The Ministry of Green Growth and Climate is the competent authority for mining permits. On this website you can find information about the (pending) applications, procedures, permits and other issues: https://mijnbouwvergunningen.nl/
- On Vermilion's website you can find information about the various activities they perform within our municipality: https://www.vermilionenergy.com/nl/locatie/
- Mining Damage Committee tracks the number of damage reports, among other things: https://www.commissiemijnbouwschade.nl/
Laws and regulations
Governments and companies are required to comply with the various laws and regulations related to gas production that have been established both nationally and internationally.