The Dutch government has said output from the giant Groningen onshore gas field in the Netherlands could be reduced even sooner than planned, possibly reaching less than 12 billion cubic metres per annum by October 2020.

Under plans announced at the end of March, output was due to be cut to below 12 Bcm from its current cap of 21.6 Bcm per annum within four to five years, with production to be shut altogether by 2030, to protect the region from earthquakes, caused by gas extraction, which have led to widespread damage to buildings.