The intended seismic risk from gas extraction is negligible for gas fields N05-A, which thus fall into the lowest seismic risk category (SRA Cat. I). The independent research organisation TNO and Dutch State Supervision of Mines endorse this assessment. Due to the low negligible seismic risk and the large distance to the Wadden (islands) and mainland, no adverse effects and damages due to soil vibration from this gas production are expected.
Soil subsidence
What is the likeliness that fracking will be applied?
The geological composition of the GEMS area and the gas reservoir consists of good permeable sandstone. It probably will not be necessary to use fracking. The technology used in such cases, including the possible application of hydraulic stimulation, is described in the extraction plan.
What is the risk of subsidence?
The intended subsidence due to gas extraction is estimated to be less than 5 centimetres at the deepest point of the subsidence bowl after the end of the production phase. The independent research organisation TNO and State Supervision of Mines endorse this calculation and indicate that the subsidence bowl lies entirely in the North Sea and that the subsidence will not affect the Wadden (islands) and the mainland.