Gas company NAM can continue to drill for natural gas under the Wadden Sea, the Council of State ruled on Wednesday. The country’s highest appeal body rejected all objections to the government’s decision to allow drilling in the ecologically sensitive area.

According to today’s ruling, sufficient research has been carried out to conclude that ‘it is clear on the basis of the best possible scientific knowledge, that drilling for gas will not harm nature’.
The appeal against the government’s decision was brought by environmental group Natuur en Milieu and the bird protection society.
NAM, which is owned jointly by Shell and Exxonmobil, produces 75% of Dutch natural gas.