Gas production shows a slower decline than in the past decade

In recent years, gas production has decreased partly due to reduced investment by the oil and gas industry. Contributing factors include additional taxes on producers, delays caused by legal objections, and uncertainty around public acceptance.

In 2022, the Dutch government announced plans to stimulate gas production in the North Sea. This spring, a sector agreement outlining concrete intentions was signed between private gas producers, EBN, and the Ministry of KGG.

Offshore gas production

Offshore gas production has been falling for several years as fields become depleted and produce less. New fields are being discovered but not enough to compensate this decline. Over the past decade, production dropped by an average of 1.1 billion m³ per year. However in 2024the decrease was only 0.2 billion m³ (from 5.9 billion m³ in 2023 to 5.7 billion m³ in 2024), mainly due to several new fields coming on stream.

The proven offshore gas resources fell from 42 to 40 billion m³ by the end of 2024. Over the past ten years, the average annual decline was 8 billion m³. For the first time since 2002, nearly enough new reserves were identified in 2024 to offset annual production—95% of the extracted volume was replenished. As a result, TNO expects the decline to slow further in the short term.

Onshore gas production

Onshore gas production has been decreasing for years, primarily due to the phase-out and closure of the Groningen gas field and the depletion of smaller fields. Few new fields have been discovered to compensate for this decline.

Between 2023 and 2024, onshore production fell from 4.3 to 2.7 billion m³. Because the Groningen field is much larger than other fields, the overall decline is mainly due to the phase out.

Proven onshore reserves dropped from 32 billion m³ at the start of 2024 to 31 billion m³ at the start of 2025. Although reserves are still declining, the sharp downward trend of the past decade has eased somewhat.

No exploration drilling in 2024, yet sufficient potential remains

Despite the relatively modest decline in reserves, 2024 was unique in that no exploration wells were drilled for the first time in over 80 years. However, several exploration wells are planned or already underway for 2025.

TNO estimates that, in addition to proven resources, there is a potential gas volume of 75 billion m³ offshore and 40 billion m³ onshore in possible new fields. This indicates ample potential for future exploration.

Outlook

Since 2002, the Netherlands has not discovered enough new gas resources to fully replace annual production. Current production levels are now so low that a small number of new fields can slow or temporarily reverse the decline. In 2024, nearly enough new resources were added to offset production.

The recently signed sector agreement aims to increase the number of exploration wells through public-private collaboration in designated areas. If the agreed measures are implemented, TNO expects production to stabilise in the short term. Over the longer term (up to 10 years), a gradual decline remains likely.

About the annual report

Each year, TNO publishes an overview of the state of exploration and production of hydrocarbons, rock salt, and geothermal energy in the Netherlands. The report is compiled by the Economic Affairs Advisory Group (TNO-AGE), part of the Geological Survey of the Netherlands (GDN), based on data provided by licence holders under the Mining Act. It also covers the status and outlook of underground storage for both temporary (natural gas, oil, nitrogen) and permanent (saline water, CO₂) purposes.

The Geological Survey of the Netherlands manages all data and knowledge related to the Dutch subsurface and has been advising on gas production for decades. More information is available at www.nlog.nl.