A Dutch court has given a US$1.1 billion Abu Dhabi-backed gas project the green light and called environmentalist concerns "unfounded."
The ruling, issued by the Dutch Council of State today from The Hague, allows a plan to build Europe's biggest gas storage site to proceed according to schedule and gives a boost to Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (Taqa), the project developer.
Environmentalist and community groups had lodged complaints against the plan to use a depleted gas reservoir to store natural gas, saying it would harm wildlife and possibly increase the risk of earthquakes.
"The Council of State declared all objections to the plan and the permits unfounded," the court said in a statement. "Although experts could not give a realistic estimate of the risk of an earthquake, the chance was in any event considered no greater than that already incurred by extracting gas at the same location."
The empty reservoir which Taqa hoped to use is a gas field where production had stopped in 2003. The project entails drilling 14 wells, laying pipelines and building gas treatment and compression plants.
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
