As part of a larger effort to reduce reliance on Russian energy imports, Germany and the Netherlands are making progress to establishing gas production in the North Sea.
According to the state’s Ministry for Economic Affairs, the German state of Lower Saxony and Dutch energy company ONE-Dyas BV plan to pump natural gas from undersea deposits 20 kilometres (12 miles) north of the islands of Borkum and Schiermonnikoog.
According to ONE-Dyas, a final investment decision is expected by the summer, and drilling could begin by the end of 2024.
Europe is rushing to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, with gas being the main sticking point.
Russia has already cut supplies to Poland and Bulgaria due to a payment dispute, underscoring the importance of political efforts to reduce Moscow’s exposure.
As a result, authorities may be willing to overlook environmental concerns about new drilling.
Germany has managed to reduce its dependence on Russian gas by securing emergency shipments of liquefied natural gas.
But further progress could be difficult as Europe’s largest economy currently lacks terminals for the fuel. The government is finalizing legislation that would speed up the approval process for LNG projects.
