The Netherlands contains the Groningen gas field, once the largest natural-gas field in Europe.
The field lies in the northeastern Dutch province of Groningen and was discovered in 1959. Production began in 1963, making Groningen a major source of natural gas for the Netherlands and neighboring European markets for decades.
Its gas is notable for its relatively low calorific value compared with higher-energy gas from some other fields. Dutch households and appliances were historically supplied through a “low-calorific” gas network designed around Groningen production.
Extraction later became controversial because pressure changes and subsidence were linked to earthquakes in the region. The Dutch government ended regular production in 2024, while limited emergency availability remained possible under exceptional circumstances.