Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Netherlands
Region
Noord-Nederland; Groningen;
Location of affected unit(s)
Sector
Mining / Quarrying
Mining And Quarrying
Extraction Of Crude Petroleum And Natural Gas
06 - Extraction of crude petroleum and natural gas

400 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
18 October 2016
Employment effect (start)
Foreseen end date
31 December 2016

Description

The Dutch oil and gas exploration and production company NAM, owned by Shell and ExxonMobil, is cutting 400 out of 2,200 jobs this year because of low natural gas prices and the decreased extraction of natural gas in the northern province of Groningen. All 400 job cuts were achieved through a voluntary severance package, but an additional 2,000 job cuts are estimated to affect suppliers and subcontractors. NAM's activities in Groningen have been controversial for several years as gas extraction in the area has lead to earthquakes, subsidence, and consequent damage to buildings. Since 2015, the Dutch government and Supreme Court have therefore limited the amount of natural gas that can be extracted from the Groningen gas field. Additionally, NAM must pay for reparations of damages to buildings and reinforcement of existing buildings in the area. This has been reported as a contributing factor to the need for cutting costs.


Sources

  • 18 October 2016: De Volkskrant
  • 18 October 2016: De Financiële Telegraaf
  • 28 January 2015: Nu.nl

Citation

Eurofound (2016), NAM, Internal restructuring in Netherlands, factsheet number 88972, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/88972.