Higher natural gas prices meant Dutch state petroleum holding company EBN hoisted payments into government coffers in the form of profits, levies and taxes by 20% to ?6.9 billion ($9 billion) last year. More than 60% of the country's gas output comes from the giant onshore Groningen field, which has now been producing for 50 years and is expected to produce for another 50 (WGI Jun.17'09). But nearby residents are demanding compensation for damage caused by tremors that seem to be occurring more often, with an ombudsman appointed last week to hear their claims.
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