Geo-advisory group for governments


The Geo-advisory group for governments forms the heart of the advisory services provided by TNO Geological Survey of the Netherlands (TNO-GDN). We focus on the GDN's strategic priorities relating to geo-energy (extraction, transport and storage of hydrocarbons and salt extraction) and future-proof land use (effects of mining).

In accordance with its statutory task, the advisory group primarily serves the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG). We also support local authorities by sharing knowledge and providing insight into the sustainable use of the deep subsurface. We also collaborate with stakeholders in the public domain, such as the State Supervision of Mines (SodM) and Energie Beheer Nederland (EBN). The advisory group does not work for industry.

Our mission

The Geo-advisory group for governments provides excellent, scientifically based information, licensing and policy advice to our government organisations in order to ensure responsible management of the subsurface.

Our scope

The advisory group focuses on the management and use of the deep subsurface. The emphasis here is on oil and gas extraction, salt extraction, geothermal energy and the storage of substances such as gas, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. We also integrate in-depth expertise in the field of seismicity, subsidence and monitoring of mining effects into our recommendations. We use applied knowledge to provide answers to questions and developments in society. We also integrate topics such as groundwater management, responsible land use and critical raw materials into our comprehensive recommendations.

We use the data and expertise available within the GDN and work closely with other TNO experts in the fields of technology, economics, safety and the environment. In this way, we ensure that our advice is in line with the increasingly complex challenges facing society.

Our channels

Because the use of the subsurface is often a sensitive issue, we believe it is important to communicate clearly and transparently about the knowledge we have gained. We inform our target groups through a variety of channels, such as public information meetings, the Dutch Subsurface Portal (NLOG) (website in Dutch) dashboards, white papers, annual reports, online information products and courses. We advise on adjustments to current policy at national and European level and provide input for the responsible use of the deep subsurface and its effects.

Through a growing number of partnerships with universities and research institutes, we are able to integrate the latest insights from the geosciences, technology, economics and humanities.

Our advice

Based on scientific knowledge and information about the subsurface, the advisory group advises the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) on the implementation of the Mining Act, the energy transition and the sustainable use of the deep subsurface. Specifically, this means that we advise the ministry on licence applications for the exploration and extraction of petroleum, natural gas, rock salt and geothermal energy, and the storage of substances in the deep subsurface. The Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) makes decisions based on advice from several relevant authorities (website in Dutch).

Our advice is targeted, independent and based on the latest scientific insights. We follow the legal criteria set out in the Mining Act and evaluate factors such as:

  • the technical feasibility and efficiency of extraction or storage;
  • the consequences of extraction, such as the expected subsidence and risk of earthquakes;
  • possible interactions with other underground and above-ground activities.

In addition, we collect data from operators about their (planned) activities, on land and at sea, at Dutch oil and gas fields, salt caverns and geothermal wells. We receive and manage the data from their surveys, such as seismic and drilling data, and we check the quality of that information.

Advisory levels

The figure below shows the advisory levels of the Geo-advisory group for governments. The foundation of our work is our scientific knowledge. The second level of advice is our licensing advice on all mining activities in support of the Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (KGG) in their decision-making on these subjects. At the third level, we give advice on existing policy and subsidy regulations. At the highest level, we initiate discussions and try to promote new, important topics that may require new policy.

Figure illustrating the advisory levels of the advisory committee for public authorities. From bottom to top: 1. Scientific basis & innovation, 2. Licence decision support, 3. Policy support and 4. Policy agenda setting. See the paragraph above the figure for an explanation of these levels.

Our experts

We are a dynamic team of enthusiastic, dedicated and socially conscious geoscientists who want to make a difference in the use of the deep subsurface in the context of the energy transition. All experts within the advisory group have a scientific background in (petroleum) geology, physics, geophysics or environmental sciences. They have thorough knowledge of the layers and structures in the (deep) subsurface of the Netherlands. We are the integrator of knowledge about the subsurface for advisory purposes within and outside TNO-GDN.