In the face of growing concerns about energy security and the risk of supply disruptions, the European Commission (EC) is considering relaxing the regulation on methane emissions from imported oil and gas.
Indeed, the European methane regulation, adopted at the end of 2024, imposes strict requirements on the energy sector regarding detection, monitoring and limitation of methane leaks, emissions and flaring during oil and gas extraction.
Opposition to European regulations
From 2027, importers of oil and gas within the EU will also have to comply with similar monitoring, reporting and verification obligations for supplies from third countries, under penalty of sanctions.
However, according to a draft recommendation currently under review by the European Commission, the EU could temporarily suspend the application of sanctions for violations committed between 2027 and 2029. The stated objective is to protect European consumers and businesses.
This decision comes amidst opposition to European methane regulations from the fossil fuel industry and the United States. Washington argues that these new requirements could reduce the European market’s attractiveness for international suppliers and lead to a shift of energy flows to other markets.
For a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Organizations representing the European and American gas industries also argue that the current regulation contains many ambiguities concerning the methods of measuring, monitoring and verifying emissions.
In a letter addressed to the European Commission on June 11, about twenty hydrocarbons sector organizations requested a postponement of the regulation’s implementation, arguing that a temporary suspension of sanctions is insufficient to remedy the technical difficulties faced by companies.
Meanwhile, environmental organizations have expressed concerns about a possible loosening of the regulation. About thirty NGOs sent a joint letter to the European Commission arguing that suspension or postponement of sanctions would undermine incentives to comply with standards and would harm the EU’s methane emission reduction goals.
Methane, capable of trapping heat about 80 times faster than CO₂ in the first 20 years after its emission, is considered one of the greenhouse gases with the strongest impact on climate warming.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that reducing leaks and stopping routine flaring operations are among the fastest and most effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while contributing to the recovery of about 200 billion cubic meters of gas per year worldwide.
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