One of the largest industrial projects in Grafschaft in recent months is almost complete: from last week, the new Adorf Z20 well south of Heideweg in Georgsdorf has been producing natural gas for the local grid. The 200 or so Neptune Energy employees in the region were already able to look forward to the start of production of the neighbouring Adorf Z19 at the same central field station at the end of December.

The raw materials company with its local production centre in Meppen invested around 73 million euros in the construction of the well site, the drilling of the two wells and the construction of the associated natural gas processing plant. Both wells run underground in a curve, are around 3,500 deep and more than 4,000 metres long. The processing plant at the site can process up to 25,000 cubic metres of natural gas per hour. Initial work on the project began in autumn 2024.

Michael Funke, responsible for Neptune Energy production in Grafschaft Bentheim and Emsland, expresses what he said at the Georgsdorf municipality's New Year's reception in January: "I especially want to say thank you to our neighbours for their understanding and interest. We are aware that there was light and noise pollution, especially during the test work at the end of last year." Funke also praised the cooperation with companies from the region: "Many local specialist companies, especially from the county of Bentheim and Emsland, really pulled together with us. I am therefore particularly pleased that we were able to make a contribution to local value creation with this project."

The project team plans to be able to supply around 300,000 households over the next few months with the six Adorf wells that now exist in the carbon reservoir. "Directly from Hoogstede and Georgsdorf instead of via more emission-intensive import routes," emphasises Funke. However, the work on the Heideweg is not yet complete. "Over the next few months, we will be active on site from time to time before we go fully into regular operation. But we can already be proud of everything we have achieved."

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Neptune Energy