Gas fields of Bergen concession, the Netherlands

Abstract

The Bergen Concession is located onshore in the Netherlands province of Noord-Holland, about 25 km NW of Amsterdam and 150 km SW of Groningen gas field. The Concession was granted on May 1, 1969, on the basis of gas discoveries drilled in 1964 and 1965. In 1972 the first field came on stream. Currently five fields are producing and one more is planned to be connected in 1983. The gas from all fields is treated at a central gas drying plant and is delivered to the Netherlands marketing organization N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie. The gas is sold to German power companies. Productive reservoirs have been found in Permian Upper Rotliegend Slochteren sandstone, Upper Permian Zechstein 3 Carbonate (Platten dolomite) and Lower Triassic Main Buntsandstein (Middle Bunter sandstone). Operations in the Concession have progressed slowly due to environmental considerations. The area contains nature-reserve and drinking-water areas in the dunes which protect polder areas from the sea. The ecological and economic quality of the polder land below sea level is maintained by strict management of surface and ground water. The geology of the Concession area and the impact of environmental requirements on the gas exploration and producing operations are discussed.