The petroleum industry in the Netherlands - its setting and possible future

The setting and possible future of the petroleum industry in the Netherland s is briefly discussed. The result of a risk assessment shows, that the Dut ch hydrocarbon province can be divided in low, medium, high and very high-r isk areas for new capital investments. The assets of operators in the Nethe rlands have been evaluated on exploration, production, storage and pipeline potential, now and in the future. Despite the presence of potential new pl ays, exploration activities are expected to decrease in the near future. De spite the possible development of marginal fields, which will be not adding major reserves, the production reserves will decrease in the next 10 - 15 years and many fields will be abandoned. However storage, pipeline infrastr ucture and gas marketing are expected to increase in the future, mainly bec ause of the liberalisation of the Dutch gas market.