DUTCH DECIDE TO DRILL FOR GAS IN UNIQUE NATURAL RESERVE

After many years of discussion, the Dutch parliament decided to start drilling for gas in the Dutch natural reserve the ‘Wadden’ sea, an unique area with sand flats and island. There is a danger of sinking of ground after the gas is pulled out. The authorities decided to prohibit the salt mining, since that form of mining results in grounds sinking very fast.

For years the Dutch have been discussing gas drilling in the unique natural reserve, where the tidal movement reshapes the environment daily. It is impossible to know what the environmental effects of gas drilling will be. That’s why the Dutch have been hesitant and around ten years ago they even blew off the plan. Many research has been done and debates have been organised.

One of the specialised environmentalists states that nature can not be damaged by the drilling of gas or the mining of salt, as long as there is no clarity about it there always be doubts about the plan. Still the Dutch decided to start drilling for gas. The formulas they come up with interests other nations, since there are many more locations in the world where drilling for gas and over population, or the environment, play a role. The formula that made the gas drilling possible brings politics and science together.

The deal is that gas can be pulled out of the ground when there is an acceptable grade of sinking of the ground. Otherwise it will be impossible for the migratory birds to stop for eat and recuperate on their long trip to the south. When the ground sinks too much the drilling has to be decreased or to be stopped. An expert says that the profound way the Dutch researched and prepared the decision is unique in the world.

The gas drilling will have to be temporarily, since there is another factor that plays a large role: the rising of the sea level intensifies the effect of sinking ground. Since it is expected that the sea level will rise in between 60 and 85 centimetres per 100 years and that this process will speed up, it is already clear that the Dutch will be forced to stop drilling for gas in the year 2030. Although the gas drilling is politically secured for around 25 years, nobody is sure what really will happen on the scientific field. In other words: will the migratory birds find a place to land in the upcoming years? more features

February 14, 2006