Small fields
The small field policy is an important concept in Dutch gas production. Until the early seventies the Groningen field was the most important source of gas in the country. It was then expected that nuclear energy would cause demand for gas to decline. With that in mind as much gas was sold abroad as possible. When social pressure against nuclear power began to harden, the importance of domestic reserves grew. The oil crisis of 1973 underlined the importance of domestic reserves. 

To extend the operating life of the large Groningen field the Dutch government decided that from 1974 it would actively encourage discovery and exploitation of smaller gas fields. This approach proved successful. Since this time dozens of new fields have been discovered, especially under the sea and the provinces of Friesland and Groningen. The small fields are being preferentially exploited to reduce the load on the Groningen field. In the winter, when gas demand is high, the Groningen gas field also supplies gas as required. In this way it represents a buffer that is used to ensure sufficient supplies when demand is high.

Facts and figures 
 

• The Netherlands annually produces some 75 billion m3 gas.
• 40 billion m3 from the Groningen gas field.
• 25 billion m3 from fields under the sea.
• 10 billion m3 from small fields on land.