AMSTERDAM, Nov 17 (Reuters) - A top Dutch court has received25 appeals against the government's decision to cap productionat the Groningen gas field at an annual figure of 24 billioncubic metres from protesters who think it does not go farenough.
Several groups in the region had asked for a steeperreduction to prevent earthquakes, which have damaged thousandsof structures in the northern province.
Output from Groningen, which once supplied 10 percent ofdemand in the European Union, has halved over the past two yearsafter the Dutch Safety Board said the government was failing toprotect citizens from earthquakes triggered by gas exploitation.
The Groningen gas field is operated by NAM, a joint venturebetween Royal Dutch Shell and Exxon Mobil Corp.
Among those bringing complaints were the province ofGroningen, 19 local authorities as well as environmental groupsand individuals, the Council of State said in a statement.
A request for immediate measures sought by nine of thecomplainants was being reviewed by a judge, it said.
The Dutch government in September adopted the preliminary 24bcm cap imposed by Economy Minister Henk Kamp until 2021.Allowing additional output of up to 30 bcm would be consideredonly in the event of a harsh winter.
The complainants were given four weeks to substantiate theirappeals cases, after which Kamp will be able to respond, thecourt said. A court date will be set in April.
Earthquakes in the region remain frequent, but none has beenlarger than one that hit the town of Huizinge in 2012 measuring3.6 on the Richter scale.
Estimates for damage to buildings in Groningen range widely,with NAM so far setting aside 750 million euros ($800 million)for compensation.($1 = 0.9337 euros) (Reporting By Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Keith Weir)
