BRUSSELS (AP) — The Dutch government decided Thursday to end gas extraction in its northern Groningen region over the next 12 years following protests over the damage from small quakes.

The Dutch cabinet said the maximum yield must be about halved by 2022 or earlier, with more cuts leading up to a full stop by 2030.

"Our end station is zero," said Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

The lucrative Groningen gas field is one of the world's largest natural gas reserves but extraction has led to hundreds of small quakes that damaged thousands of homes.

"We choose security first and foremost," said Rutte af...