02-07-2025
Germany Gives Go-Ahead for Gas Drilling in Protected Marine Zone
Germany has given the green light for drilling as much as 13 billion cubic meters of natural gas at a protected marine site in the North Sea in a controversial step to bolster energy security.
The cabinet approved a bilateral agreement with the Netherlands on hydrocarbon deposits off the island Borkum, according to a statement from economy minister Katherina Reiche. Explorer One-Dyas BV had already received approval from local authorities a year ago, but Reiche's predecessor Robert Habeck — a Green politician — had been delaying national approval due to environmental considerations.
