The setting and possible future of the petroleum industry in the Netherlands is briefly discussed. The result of a risk assessment shows, that the Dutch hydrocarbon province can be divided in low, medium, high and very high-risk areas for new capital investments. The assets of operators in the Netherlands have been evaluated on exploration, production, storage and pipeline potential, now and in the future. Despite the presence of potential new plays, exploration activities are expected to decrease in the near future. Despite the possible development of marginal fields, which will be not adding major reserves, the production reserves will decrease in the next 10–15 years and many fields will be abandoned. However storage, pipeline infrastructure and gas marketing are expected to increase in the future, mainly because of the liberalisation of the Dutch gas market.
