Conflict between contractors resolved Construction of Zuidbroek nitrogen installation back in gear
More than 500 workers from all over Europe are finishing the construction of the nitrogen installation in Zuidbroek over the coming months. The conflict that arose between the contractors some time ago has been resolved and the work can progress at full speed once more. Additional workers have been recruited to finish the plant, which is currently around 90% complete. Construction of the plant is expected to be completed by the end of August. The first nitrogen production will then take place in October.
The adjusted timetable has no effect on the amount of gas that needs to be extracted from the Groningen gas field.
Drop in market demand
There is no effect on the amount of gas that needs to be extracted from the Groningen field in the coming gas year (October 2022 - October 2023), as the market demand for natural gas has decreased considerably. In addition, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, recently took the decision - due to the geopolitical situation - not to permanently close any production locations of the Groningen field yet, but to keep them at a so-called minimum flow. As a result, Gasunie’s other existing nitrogen installations can supply sufficient volumes.
Ten billion cubic metres of pseudo Groningen gas
With the commissioning of the nitrogen installation in Zuidbroek, a maximum of 10bcm (billion cubic metres) of pseudo Groningen gas can be produced annually by blending nitrogen into imported gas.