Ukraine requests Groningen gas equipment to rebuild energy infrastructure

Ukraine has formally requested parts from the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands to help rebuild its energy infrastructure, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) confirmed.

Naftogaz, the Ukrainian energy company, has sparked discussions with the Dutch Petroleum Company (NAM), the owner of the equipment. Naftogaz Director Serhi Koretsky explained the urgency: “Manufacturing new parts takes a lot of time. That is why we turn to allies with the request to provide old parts that we can use as spares or to build new installations.”

The ministry and RVO said the talks have been ongoing since spring, but details on the progress or delivery timeline are not disclosed for security reasons. NAM confirmed it is positively considering the request. “During the dismantling of the Groningen gas field and other former fields, a large amount of material becomes available that can be reused,” a NAM spokesperson told NOS Nieuwsuur.

Ukraine estimates it needs 1.9 billion euros to import gas for the winter. Russian attacks have halved Ukraine’s gas production this year, leaving about six million people regularly without electricity or heating.

Naftogaz engineers have already visited Groningen to inspect the gas production sites. Koretsky said, “These Dutch parts will certainly help restore the destroyed infrastructure.”

Since January 1, 2025, Russian forces have increasingly targeted Ukraine’s gas infrastructure with drones and missiles. From March onward, there have been roughly 4,800 attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. From 2022 to 2024, Russia mainly struck coal plants and switching stations, leaving gas installations largely untouched because pipelines exported Russian gas to Europe.

The Netherlands has been a key supporter of Ukraine’s energy recovery, pledging 25 million euros in October 2025 and contributing 450 million euros since 2022 to repair gas and electricity infrastructure, separate from military aid.

Currently, the Groningen field no longer produces gas, but small-scale production continues in locations such as Warffum and Molenpolder. Officials have not disclosed which parts may be sent to Ukraine or when they could be exported.