THE HAGUE, April 1 (Reuters) - Groups calling for a reviewof Dutch government plans for production at Groningen, Europe'slargest natural gas field, presented their arguments to thecountry's highest court for administrative matters on Wednesday.
Two opposition groups, one of local politicians and anotherof concerned residents, put their case to the Council of State,which is not expected to rule on the request for two weeks.
The Dutch Safety Board found in February that the governmenthad not adequately considered the danger posed by earthquakescaused by work at Groningen.
The field is operated by state-owned Gasunie and outputjointly exploited by the government and a joint venture betweenRoyal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil called NAM(Nederlandse Aardolie Maatschappij).
A total of 40 groups in Groningen launched the suit, seekingto have gas production reduced or stopped, but the court'sjurisdiction extends only to administrative decisions.
The suit that will be heard is technically a challenge to adecision by Economic Affairs Minister Henk Kamp to set 2015production from Groningen at 39.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) ofgas, down from 42.5 bcm a year earlier.
Council of State Judge Thijs Drupsteen could instruct Kampto review that decision, but is not expected to make anyrecommendation about actual production levels.
In February, Kamp ordered production levels cut to 33 bcm.He is due to revisit that decision in July. (Reporting by Toby Sterling; editing by Anthony Deutsch andJason Neely)