Neptune Energy supports the renaturalisation of the Elsbecke watercourse

Uelsen. Between wellies, mud and flowing water, a nature conservation project is taking shape that will give the Elsbecke a new space - and sustainable added value to the region. The first ecological enhancement measures have already begun on the Elsbecke in Uelsen. This was made possible by a donation of 7,500 euros, which the energy company Neptune Energy handed over to the Grafschaft Bentheim Nature Conservation Foundation. Representatives from the foundation, the local authority and Neptune Energy visited the site to find out about the current status of the project.

The aim of the measures is to strengthen the Elsbecke as a near-natural watercourse and at the same time improve the water flow in the long term. Among other things, transverse structures and culverts that impeded the natural flow of the watercourse were removed. In addition, the cross-section of the watercourse is being widened to create more retention space - in other words, additional areas where water can spread out during heavy rainfall events.

"The Elsbecke is a small, at first glance inconspicuous body of water, but it is ecologically extremely valuable," explained Paul Uphaus, Managing Director of the Grafschaft Bentheim Nature Conservation Foundation. "It is one of the few lowland streams with sand bedload that has not been over-extended. With the current measures, we are giving the watercourse more space and deliberately focussing on its own dynamics, because nature should shape it again."

In its further course, it flows through meadows and forests as well as areas worthy of nature conservation. With a total length of around two kilometres, it takes on important functions for the water balance, the habitat for animals and plants and enhances the surroundings along existing cycle and hiking trails.

"Implementation of the measures began in mid-October. Due to heavy rainfall and the resulting waterlogging of the area, work had to be interrupted for around two weeks. The work was finally completed in mid-November," explains Lars Diekmann, an employee of the Grafschaft Bentheim Nature Conservation Foundation.

This donation is one of the ways in which Neptune Energy supports nature conservation measures in the county of Bentheim. The company can look back on many years of experience in the extraction of raw materials and, in addition to the production of natural gas and crude oil, focuses on decommissioning projects, the renaturalisation of former sites and the return of areas to nature.

"It is important to us that our support has an impact on the ground," said Michael Funke, District Manager of Neptune Energy. "Projects like the one at the Elsbecke show very concretely how sustainable nature conservation can be implemented. For us, the collaboration with the nature conservation foundation is an important part of our responsibility towards the environment and the region."

The joint municipality of Uelsen also benefits from the project. The mayor of the joint municipality, Hajo Bosch, emphasised: "Our region lives from its landscape. The project on the Elsbecke not only improves nature conservation, but also benefits tourism and flood protection. Especially in times of scarce municipal resources, such partnerships are of great importance."

From the tenant's point of view, the project is also a win-win situation. Matthias Kluth from Blekker Farm adds: "The area is very important for our farm and for visitors. The measures have made it more usable again and it fits perfectly into our educational and tourism concept."

Neptune Energy is one of the leading raw materials companies in Germany. With over 135 years of experience, we secure supplies for industry and society. Our goal: Today we produce what counts tomorrow. Around 480 employees in many regions of Germany and at our headquarters in Hanover are involved in three key areas of activity

Base - Gas & Oil: safe and reliable production of domestic energy raw materials

Balance - Plugging and abandonment: taking responsibility for the past and restoring nature

Boost - New Energy: actively shaping the future, for example with lithium from Germany

This is how we combine experience with progress. Neptune Energy's revenue in the 2024 financial year was €440 million. The total annual production of gas and oil was 5.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).