322 L. BOSCÁN ET AL.
developing a nationwide network for North Sea natural gas. In 1962, A.P.
Møller Mærsk obtained an exclusive concession to explore and produce
oil and gas in Denmark, leading to a first discovery in 1966 (Kraka field).
Crude oil production began in 1972 (Dan field), leading to the first
exports in 1977. In 1976, the state-owned Danish Oil and Gas (DONG)
company gained pre-emption rights to North Sea output, and in 1979
the parliament passed a law governing the domestic sale and export of
natural gas, which began in 1984 (Danish Energy Agency 2016; Meyer
2000; Mortensen and Overgaard 1992). Boosted by North Sea oil and
gas exports, Denmark became self-sufficient in energy for the first time in
1997. Oil self-sufficiency and natural gas self-sufficiency peaked in 2004
and 2008, respectively (see Fig. 13.1). Presently, as a net oil exporter,
Denmark has a stockholding obligation as an EU Member State for
energy security purposes (International Energy Agency 2017).
A third element was implementing heat planning in all Danish municipalities, with the goal of reducing dependence on oil and increasing
Fig. 13.1 Denmark’s self-sufficiency in oil and gas (primary energy production/gross energy consumption), 1975–2017 (Source Author created figures
based on data from Danish Energy Agency [2018d])
developing a nationwide network for North Sea natural gas. In 1962, A.P.
Møller Mærsk obtained an exclusive concession to explore and produce
oil and gas in Denmark, leading to a first discovery in 1966 (Kraka field).
Crude oil production began in 1972 (Dan field), leading to the first
exports in 1977. In 1976, the state-owned Danish Oil and Gas (DONG)
company gained pre-emption rights to North Sea output, and in 1979
the parliament passed a law governing the domestic sale and export of
natural gas, which began in 1984 (Danish Energy Agency 2016; Meyer
2000; Mortensen and Overgaard 1992). Boosted by North Sea oil and
gas exports, Denmark became self-sufficient in energy for the first time in
1997. Oil self-sufficiency and natural gas self-sufficiency peaked in 2004
and 2008, respectively (see Fig. 13.1). Presently, as a net oil exporter,
Denmark has a stockholding obligation as an EU Member State for
energy security purposes (International Energy Agency 2017).
A third element was implementing heat planning in all Danish municipalities, with the goal of reducing dependence on oil and increasing
Fig. 13.1 Denmark’s self-sufficiency in oil and gas (primary energy production/gross energy consumption), 1975–2017 (Source Author created figures
based on data from Danish Energy Agency [2018d])