In a move that's likely to open the door to more gas imports, the Dutch government last week proposed further production cuts at the massive Groningen gas field to further reduce the risk of earthquakes in the region. A preliminary decision from the economic affairs ministry said output should from the autumn be slashed to 24 billion cubic meters per year (2.3 billion cubic feet per day) from the annual 27 Bcm limit imposed late last year. There will be an emergency allowance for an extra 6 Bcm/yr in the event of an extremely cold winter. The decision will be open for consultation for six weeks from early July. The government will then make a final decision before the start of the new gas year in October.
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