on VET looking for gas in Holland Vermilion finds nine locations suitable for gas drilling
The nine locations in the area. Photo: Vermilion
Gas extraction company Vermilion Energy has selected nine locations for drilling for two gas fields in the Noordwolde-Wilhelminaoord area. This is apparent from the 'Concept Memorandum Scope and Level of Detail', which bureau Haskoning has written for Vermilion.
This is the first step to arrive at an EIA procedure, in which the consequences of the proposed drilling activity on the environment are described. In addition to this, Vermilion wants to enter into discussions with the relevant authorities in the area, such as the municipalities and provinces, the water board and nature organisations. There will be an information meeting for residents.
In anticipation of this, the plans are now announced via the memorandum. Using geological studies, the Canadian company Vermilion has mapped the VDW-A and VDW-B gas fields. It is expected that natural gas will be present in both reservoirs at a depth of approximately two kilometers. The rock layers concerned belong to the Vlieland and Rotliegend sandstone formations and the Zechstein carbonate (limestone). Natural gas moves upwards within these porous layers and concentrates in the highest part of the layer, below an occlusive layer. This highest part of the natural gas reservoir is where Vermilion wants to drill. In the first instance, Vermilion will construct a location for drilling to both gas fields, in order to confirm this expectation. The final location is not yet mentioned in the memorandum. There is a card with nine options.
access road
“It is important for the construction phase, the drilling phase and later during maintenance work that the location is easily accessible, even with heavier transport. An access road will be constructed for this in consultation with the environment, from the location to the nearest through road.” A maximum of three wells are planned, which together can lead to three production wells. A drilling rig will be installed temporarily (during approximately two months per bore) for the purpose of drilling. There is a possibility that the second or third bore will not be successful or will not even be performed. The construction of the mining site and the gas transport pipeline will take place as much as possible in daylight. The construction of the mining site (including access road) will take approximately eight weeks.
Deep drilling
Drilling to a depth of approximately two kilometers is formally referred to as deep drilling. If economically recoverable natural gas is present, a location is set up as a production location and production installations are installed to be able to process the produced natural gas. There will then be a direct connection to the existing Vermilion gas transport pipeline between Wapse and Vinkega, and/or a completely new pipeline parallel to the existing pipeline to the Vinkega location. 'During the development of the route, buildings, nature reserves and cultural-historical/archaeologically valuable areas are taken into account.' The gas then goes to Vermilion's existing gas treatment plant near Garijp, where it is made suitable for supply to the natural gas network.
UNESCO area
There are relatively few buildings in the area. The natural gas deposit VDW-A is partly located under the built-up area of Noordwolde. The natural gas reservoir VDW-B is located north of Wilhelminaoord. There are several campsites in the area. The area is crossed by the provincial road between Noordwolde and Wilhelminaoord. The existing Wapse – Vinkega gas transport pipeline crosses the project area from southeast to west. There is also an eye for other activities in the area. An amendment to the zoning plan is required for the construction of a new mining location and the gas transport pipeline.
Wastewater in old gas well
In the coming years, two new wells will be drilled from the Wapse location. There is ongoing production from surrounding gas fields near Vinkega and Noordwolde. Wastewater is still injected into the old gas well in Nijensleek. And it is also taken into account that the gas extraction is now located in the area that was awarded UNESCO status just in July. 'In the EIA, special attention is paid to the nearby protected townscape of Frederiksoord-Wilhelminaoord, the associated UNESCO status and geological values. In order to include the mentioned heritage values transparently and fully, a Heritage Impact Analysis will be carried out, the results of which will be incorporated in the EIA.' Then it is about the expected effect on heritage values.
Nature effects
According to the memorandum, the proposed activity can also lead to effects on nature and nature reserves in the immediate vicinity. Special attention is paid to the Natura 2000 areas. “During construction, there will be sound effects, among other things, and thus possible disruption of protected species. If there are nitrogen emissions, this can have negative effects on protected areas. This is made clear with the help of an AERIUS calculation. In the EIA, research will be conducted into effects on protected areas and vulnerable species.”
subsidence
In the EIA, Vermilion will have to estimate the expected subsidence by pumping gas from the subsurface. “The subsidence is expected to be limited to a few centimeters and will occur gradually over a long period of time. The current subsidence is monitored by means of measurements. The risk of earthquakes as a result of natural gas extraction is referred to as seismic risk. Not all vibrations in the substrate lead to damage. Vibrations that release little energy are not or almost imperceptible and will not cause any damage.”