Natural gas production for Northwest Europe is forecast to decline by approximately 25% from current levels over the next five years as upcoming projects struggle to offset overall declines, according to data and analytics company, GlobalData.
The company’s report, ‘2019 Northwest Europe Upstream Development Outlook – Surge in New-Build Oil and Gas Project Starts for 2020’, reveals that gas production fell year on year over the last two years, a trend that is set to continue over the forecast period.
The lack of major upcoming gas projects, alongside a production phase out at the giant Groningen gas field, has set a clear downward trend for gas production in Northwest Europe. Despite rising gas production for Norway and the UK over the near term, declines in the Netherlands, Denmark and Ireland outpace volumes introduced from upcoming projects, GlobalData added.
Daniel Rogers, Oil and Gas Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “In 2019, oil production in Northwest Europe rose from 2018 levels but gas volumes declined comparatively. Looking forward, Northwest Europe’s oil production is set to rise potentially out to 2023 as major fields ramp up and Johan Castberg production commences.
“For gas, the outlook is less optimistic as the number of large gas projects coming on-stream is limited and post 2021 could see dramatic declines in gas production without the addition of future projects.”
