Compaction and subsidence of the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands

Abstract

The Groningen gas field in the Netherlands is Europe's largest gas field. It has been produced since 1963 and production is expected to continue until 2080. The pressure decline in the field causes compaction in the reservoir which is observed as subsidence at the surface. Measured subsidence is characterized by a delay at the start of production. As linear compaction models cannot explain this behavior, alternative compaction models (e.g. Rate Type Compaction Model and Time Decay model) have been investigated that may explain the measured subsidence. Although the compaction models considered in this study give a good match to this delay, their forecasts are significantly different. Future measurements of subsidence in this area will indicate which type of compaction model is preferred. This will lead to better forecasts of subsidence in future. The pattern of over- and underestimation of the subsidence is similar for the compaction models investigated and tested. The pattern can be explained by differences in modeled porosity and aquifer activity illustrating the improvement of subsurface knowledge on the reservoir using subsidence measurements