THE HAGUE, June 24 (Reuters) - The Dutch government said onFriday that it would lower the cap on production at theGroningen gas field to 24 billion cubic metres a year for thenext five years.
The decision to lower the ceiling from 27 bcm from Oct. 1follows a recommendation by the Dutch National MinesInspectorate, prompted by a spate of earthquakes in the northernprovince that caused extensive property damage.
In a statement, the government said production at the field,which has supplied up to 10 percent of European demand, could beincreased to up to 30 bcm in exceptional circumstances, such asduring cold winters.
Dutch gas for instant delivery rose < TRNLTTFWKD> over 6 pctto 14.90 euros per megawatt hour by 1253 GMT. (Reporting by Toby Sterling and Anthony Deutsch; Writing byThomas Escritt; Editing by Alexander Smith)