Big gas field is causing tremors, exposing energy firms to criminal probe and rising bills
By Dow Jones Newswires
GRONINGEN, The Netherlands — For decades, the giant Groningen gas field beneath the flat, green farmland in the north of this country counted among the greatest prizes for Exxon Mobil Corp. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC. Then the earthquakes started.
Shell and Exxon are pushing back through their joint venture, Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij BV or NAM.
NAM said it is considering formally contesting the government’s decision. It also expressed surprise at the Dutch court order to the prosecutor to open a criminal investigation this year…