EU Considers One-Year Delay for Methane Emissions Rules on Oil Imports
The European Union is planning to push back the enforcement of methane emissions rules for oil and gas imports by one year, according to EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen. The current rules, set to begin on January 1, 2027, would require foreign suppliers to monitor and report methane emissions, a significant greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Jorgensen stated that the European Commission is considering this one-year delay, with no further extensions expected.
The delay comes amid political pressure, particularly after the Iran war disrupted global energy supplies and raised concerns about fuel availability this winter. French President Emmanuel Macron has supported a one-year delay, citing potential legal risks for importers as energy supplies tighten. Around a dozen other EU countries, along with the US, Europe’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas, have also urged the bloc to pause or roll back the law.
Supporters of the postponement argue that companies are not yet ready to comply with the new regulations and may divert LNG cargoes away from Europe to avoid penalties. However, assessing the impact of these rules on oil and gas contracts has proven difficult due to the lack of public details about those agreements. The Commission has not confirmed when it will propose changes to the law, though some officials expect this to happen next week.