First week of interrogation of gas extraction investigation: victims have their say

How big are the problems and suffering in Groningen due to gas extraction in this province? And what did gasification mean for the Netherlands? These questions are at the center of the first week of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry’s public hearings. The following twelve people were interviewed.

Monday 27 June: the voice of the victims

On the first day of the public hearings, victims will be the first to speak: Herman de Muinck and Sijbrand NijhoffI

Nijhoff is a prominent figure in Groningen because of his lawsuit against NAM and the state. He wanted to use it to compensate for the damage from the earthquake. Nijhoff also went public in 2018 due to a conspiracy from 1963.

afternoon Suzanne Top round. From 2015 to 2021 he was secretary of the Groningen Gas Council. It is a community of social organizations that defend the interests of residents.

Tuesday 28 June: Science Day

On the second day, several scientists who have conducted research into the relationship between earthquakes and degassing in the 1990s will have their say. What signals did they give at the time and what was done to them?

Hans de Waal (Shell researcher from 1977 to 2002) has been working for the State Supervision Inspector of Mines (SodM) since 2009. He also served as a Senior Consultant in Geo-Engineering between 2009-2016.

Hans pass Until 2001 he worked as a scientist and teacher at TU Delft. Currently working at SodM, among others.

Peter van der Gaag’s photo. is a geologist and co-founder of the independent geologists platform. This platform was founded in 1993. Researchers are fiercely critical of NAM and Shell and say that there is no independent information about the deep subsurface in the Netherlands.

Wednesday, June 29: How did the cooperation between the state and oil companies go?

Only two people will be interviewed on Wednesday. stand in line first George hide† He was Chargé de Mission at the Ministry of Economic Affairs from 1974 to 1988 and as Director-General for Energy from 1982 to 1988. Verberg also held a management position at Gasunie (1988-1992) and was then CEO for twelve years.

The interrogation will take place after lunch. Annemarie Jorritsma meant. He was Minister of Economic Affairs from 1998 to 2002. During this period the liberalization of the energy market took place at European level. The sales and shipping activities were therefore separated in 2005. This division creates more room for competition and affordable prices.

The aim of the talks with Jorritsma and Verberg is to shape the cooperation between the state and oil companies.

Thursday 30 June: NAM – Shell

On the fourth day, the commission of inquiry wants to clarify the relationship between NAM and Shell. Who actually determines the amount of gas removed? The committee members also want to know how companies stand with the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Come answer these questions Peter Decker (Vice President of Joint Venture Management at Shell, 1997-2016) and Johann de Haan (He held various positions at NAM from 2004 to 2019) at the bunker in The Hague where interrogations were held.

Friday July 1: Watch the mood of the Groningers

Finally, as committee chairman Tom van der Lee said in his presentation to the press, special attention is paid to the “deep wounds suffered by the people of Groningen” during the first week of interrogation.

Tom Postmes (professor of social psychology at the University of Groningen) and the victim Annemarie Heite will describe how reversible physical damage can lead to frustration, insecurity and mental damage.